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Webster  Family  Library  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
Cummings  School  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at 
Tufts  University 
200  V\/estboro  Road 
North  Grafton.  MA  01536 


^.1 


,    IN      \      ', 


THE  NEW 

AMEEICAN  POCKET  FAERIER 

AND  FARMER'S  GUIDE 

IN    THE    CHOICE    AND    MANAGEMENT    OV 

HORSES,  NEAT  CATTLE,  SHEEP  AND  SWINE: 

INCLUDING 

A    DESCRIPTION    OF    THEIR    INTERNAL    STRUCTURE 

THEIR    DIGESTIVE    SYSTEM,    THE    DISEASES 

TO  WHICH  THEY  ARE  LIABLE,  WITH 

THEIR    CAUSES,    SYMPTOMS, 

AND  MOST  APPROVED 

METHODS    OF 

CURE  : 

FROM  THE  WRITINGS  OF 

rOUATT,  LAWRENCE,  HINES,  WHITE,  CLATTER, 

AND  OTHERS. 
TO   WHICH    IS    ADDED 

A  VARIETY  OF  AGRICULTURAL 

AND 

MISCELLANEOUS  RECEIPTS. 


PHILADELPHIA : 

JOHN  B.  PERRY,  198  MARKET  STREET. 

NEW  YORK : 

NAFIS  &  CORNISH  278  PEARL  STREET. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1845,  by  J.  B. 
Perry,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  in  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


Stereotyped  hy  S.  Douglas  Wyetk, 
JV0.  7   Fear  St.,  Philadeiphia. 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  to  the  public  a  comprehensive  book  on 
Farriery  and  the  treatment  of  Cattle,  we  have  deter- 
niiiied  to  make  the  work  complete;  to  embrace  in  it 
every  subject  useful  to  the  farmer,  the  grazier,  the 
dealer  in  horses,  and  others.  Horses,  neat  cattle, 
sheep,  and  swine, — the  management  of  them,  the  dis- 
eases to  which  they  are  subject,  and  cures  for  them, 
— all  will  be  found  in  this  book,  carefully  selected 
from  the  writings  of  Small,  Youatt,  White,  Lawrence, 
Hines,  Clayter,  etc.  As  a  book  of  advice  and  refer- 
ence in  regard  to  useful  matters,  we  have  so  arranged 
it  under  different  heads,  that  the  reader  by  running  his 
eye  down  the  Contents  will  be  enabled  at  once  to  find 
any  particular  subject  upon  which  he  may  wish  to 
inform  himself. 

"  Ten  minutes  advice"  is  a  short  treatise  compil- 
ed to  guard  the  unwary  from  deceptions  in. the  pur- 
chase of  a  Horse,  as  well  as  to  refresh  the  memory 
of  gentlemen  already  acquainted  with  the  requisite 
qualifications  of  that  noble  animal.  The  remarks  are 
drawn  from  long,  and,  in  some  instances,  dear-bought 
experience,  in  the  snares  with  which  jockies  and  grooms 
beset  those  who  are  under  the  necessity  of  dealing 
with  them.  Having  premised  thus  much,  it  is  proper 
that  we  should  introductorily  remark,  as  a  general 
guide,  viz : 

That  a  large  shin-bone,  that  is,  long  from  the  knee 
to  the  pastern,  in  a  foal,  shows  a  tall  horse. 


IV  PREFACE. 

Double  the  space  in  a  foal,  new  foaled,  between  the 
knee  and  withers,  will,  in  general,  be  the  height  of 
him  when  a  complete  horse. 

Foals  that  are  of  stirring  spirits,  wanton  of  disposi- 
tion, active  in  leaping,  running  and  chasing,  ever  lead- 
ing the  way  and  striving  for  mastery,  always  prove 
horses  of  excellent  mettle ;  those  of  a  contrary  dispo- 
sition are  most  commonly  jades. 

There  is  one  general  rule  which  experience  has 
proved  to  be  a  good  one,  and  that  is — No  Footy  No 
Horse. 

A  horse's  ability,  and  continuance  in  goodness,  is 
known  by  his  hoofs.  If  they  are  strong,  smooth, 
hard,  deep,  tough,  upright,  and  hollow,  that  horse 
cannot  be  a  bad  one. 

The  pocket  farrier,  commencing  at  page  39, 
contains  a  series  of  directions  how  to  use  a  horse  on  a 
journey,  with  receipts  and  cures  for  the  different  dis- 
eases to  which  he  is  liable.  The  prescriptions  have 
not  been  hastily  jumbled  together,  but  are  experiment- 
ally efficacious,  and  have  been  proved  by  a  practice 
of  thirty  years.  By  consulting  these  pages  you  will 
at  once  see,  l5^.  What  methods  are  best  to  be  used  if 
your  horses  fall  lame  ;  2d.  What  medicines  are  proper 
to  give  them  when  sick, — and  ^d.  How  to  direct  the 
operations,  and  escape  the  impositions,  of  ignorant 
men. 

Annexed  to  these,  the  reader  will  find  directions  for 
the  management  of  Cows,  Calves,  Sheep,  Swine,  Agri- 
cultural Receipts,  the  management  of  the  Dairy,  Fruit- 
trees,  Flax,  Hemp,  the  improvement  of  waste  lands, 
and  miscellaneous  useful  information. 

Philadelphia,  June,  1845. 


SKELETON  OF  A  HORSE. 


DESCRIPTION 


SKELETON  OF  A  HORSE. 


A  The  Head. 

a  The  posterior  maxillary  or  under  jaw. 

6   The  superior  maxillary  or  upper  jaw.     Opposite  to  the  letter  is  a  foramen 

through  which   pass  the  nerves  and  blood  vessels  which  chiefly  supply  the 

lower  part  of  the  face. 
c  The  orbit,  or  cavity  containing  the  eye. 
d  The  nasal  bones,  or  bones  of  the  nose. 

e   The  suter  dividing  the  parietal  bones  below,  from  the  occipital  bones  above. 
/  The  inferior  maxillary  bone  containing  the  upper  incisor  teeth. 
B  The  Seven  Cervical  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  neck. 
C  The  Eighteen  Dorsal  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  back. 
D  Tlie  Six  Lumbar  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  loins. 
E  The  Five  Sacral  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  haunch. 
F  The  Caudal  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  tail,  generally  about  fifteen. 
G  The  Scapula,  or  shoulder  blade. 
H  The  Sternum,  or  fore  part  of  the  chest. 
I    The  Costae  or  ribs,  seven  or  eight  articulating  with  the  sternum,  and  called 

the  tfue  ribs,  and  ten  or  eleven  united  together  by  cartilage,  called  the  falsa 

ribs. 
3   The  Humerus,  or  bone  of  the  arm. 
K  The  Radius,  or  bone  of  the  fore-arm. 

L  The  Ulna,  or  elbow.     The  point  of  the  elbow  is  called  the  Olecranon. 
M  The  Carpus  or  knee,  consisting  of  seven  bones. 
JN  The  metacarpal  bones.     The  larger  metacarpal  or  canon  or  shank  in  front, 

and  the  smaller  metacarpal  or  splent  bone  behind. 
g  The  fore  pastern  and  foot,  consisting  of  the  Os  Suflfraginis,  or  the  upper  and 

larger  pastern  bone,  with  the  sessamoid  bones  behind,  articulating  with  the 

canon  and  greater  pastern  ;  the  Os  Coronae,  or  lesser  pastern  ;  the  Os  Pedis, 

or  cofRn-bone  ;  and  the  Os  Naviculare,  or  navicular,  or  shuttle-bone,  not 

seen,  and  articulating  with  the  smaller  pastern  and  coffin-bones. 
h  The  corresponding  bones  of  the  hind  feet. 
O  The  Haunch,  consisting  of  three  portions^  the  Ilium,  the  Ischium,  and  the 

Pubis. 
P  The  Femur  or  thigh. 
Q,  The  stifle  joint  with  the  Patella. 

R  The  Tibia  or  proper  leg-bone — behind  is  a  small  bone  called  the  fibula. 
S  The  Tarsus  or  hock,  composed  of  six  bones.     The  prominent  part  is  the  Os 

Calcis  point  of  the  hock. 
T  The  Metatarsals  of  the  hind  leg. 


1 


TEN    MINUTES'    ADVICE 

HOW    TO    BUY    A    HORSE. 


It  is  a  common  observation  that  in  the  art  of  horse- 
manship, by  far  the  most  difficult  part  is  that  of  giving 
proper  directions  for  purchasing  a  horse  free  from  fault 
and  blemish.  The  deceptions  in  this  branch  of  traffic 
being  looked  on  in  a  less  fraudulent  light  than  they 
seem  to  deserve,  and  of  consequence  are  more  frequently 
practised,  it  shall  therefore  be  our  business,  in  the  follow- 
ing brief  remarks,  to  show,  in  the  best  manner  we  are 
able,  the  imperfections  which,  from  either  nature  or  mis- 
chance, every  horse  is  liable  to. 


IN  THE  STABLE. 

See  the  horse  you  are  about  to  purchase,  in  the  stable, 
and  without  any  person  being  in  the  stall  with  him,  and 
if  he  has  any  complaint  in  his  legs  he  will  soon  show  it, 
by  altering  the  situation  of  them,  taking  up  one  and  set- 
ting down  the  other;  and  this  denotes  his  being  foundered 
or  over-worked. 

On  ordering  him  out,  let  no  one  be  the  last  in  the 
stable  but  yourself;  you  should  also,  if  possible,  be  the 

7 


8  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIEK. 

first  in,  lest  the  owner,  or  some  of  his  quick  emissaries, 
take  an  opportunity  to  fig  him ;  a  practice  common 
among  dealers,  in  order  to  make  the  tail  show  as  if 
carried  very  high,  when,  in  reahty,  the  day  after,  he  will, 
in  appearance,  be  five  pounds  worse. 


THE  EYES. 

This  is  the  proper  time  to  examine  his  eyes,  which 
may  be  done  in  a  dark  stable,  with  a  candle,  or  rather 
IB  the  day  time  when  he  is  led  from  the  stall ;  cause  the 
man  who  leads  him  to  stop  at  the  stable  door  just  as  his 
head  peeps  out,  and  all  his  body  still  within.  If  the 
white  of  the  eye  appears  reddish  at  the  bottom,  or  of  a 
colour  like  a  withered  leaf,  I  would  not  advise  you  to 
purchase  him.  A  moon-eyed  horse  is  known  by  his 
weeping,  and  keeping  his  eyes  almost  shut  at  the 
beginning  of  the  distemper :  as  the  moon  changes,  he 
gradually  recovers  his  sight,  and  in  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks  sees  as  well  as  before  he  had  the  disorder. 
Dealers,  when  they  have  such  a  horse  to  sell,  at  the 
time  of  his  weeping  always  tell  you  that  he  has  got  a 
bit  of  straw  or  hay  in  his  eye,  or  that  he  has  received 
some  blow :  they  also  take  care  to  wipe  away  the 
humour,  to  prevent  its  being  seen ;  but  a  man  should 
trust  only  himself  in  buying  of  horses,  and  above  all, 
be  very  exact  in  examining  the  eyes.  In  this  he  must 
have  regard  to  time  and  place  where  he  makes  the 
examination.  Bad  eyes  may  appear  good  in  winter, 
when  snow  is  upon  the  ground ;  and  often,  good  ones 
appear  bad  according  to  the  position  of  the  horse. 
Never  examine  a  horse's  eyes  by  the  side  of  a  white 
wall,  where  the  dealers  always  choose  to  show  one  that 
is  moon-eyed. 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARBIER.  9 

The  moon-eyed  horse  has  always  one  eye  bigger  than 
the  other,  and  above  his  lids  you  may  generally  dis- 
cover wrinkles  or  circles. 

If  you  observe  a  fleshy  excrescence  that  proceeds  from 
the  corner  of  the  eye,  and  covers  a  part  of  the  pupil, 
and  is  in  shape  almost  like  the  beard  of  an  oyster,  though 
seemingly  a  matter  of  no  great  consequence,  yet  it  is 
what  I  call  a  whitlow  in  the  eye,  and  if  suffered  to  grow, 
it  draws  away  a  part  of  the  nourishment  of  the  eye, 
and  sometimes  occasions  a  total  privation  of  sight :  on 
the  contrary,  if  the  eyes  are  round,  big,  black  and 
shining ;  if  the  black  of  the  eye  fill  the  pit,  or  outward 
circumference,  so  that  in  moving,  very  little  of  the  white 
appears,  they  are  signs  of  goodness  and  mettle. 
Large  eyes  are  in  general  esteemed  the  best,  but  be 
sure  to  observe  that  the  chrystaline  be  thoroughly 
transparent,  for  without  that,  no  kind  of  eye  can  be  said 
to  be  good.  ■ 

The  eye  that  is  of  a  long  oval  figure  is  almost  always 
weak,  especially  if  the  corners  are  narrow  for  a 
considerable  way.  - 

We  may  here  observe  that  no  animal  is  so  subject  to 
blindness  as  the  horse.  This  arises  from  the  great  heat 
of  his  blood,  and  the  constant  feverish  state  in  which 
his  great  exertions  keep  him,  which  occasions  inflamma- 
tion, and  thickening  of  the  extremely  thin  membrane 
that  covers  the  eye. 

Most  people,  in  examining  a  horse's  eyes,  lead  him 
under  a  shed  and  look  sideways  through  the  eye  to- 
wards the  light,  to  ascertain  whether  it  be  clear  and 
transparent  as  it  ought;  but  the  best  way  is  to  make 
the  observation  when  he  first  comes  out  of  a  dark  stable 
into  strong  daylight;  for  if  he  has  any  weakness  in  his 
eyes,  he  will  contract  or  wrinkle  his  brow  and  look  up- 
ward to  receive  more  light ;  and  if,  at  the  same  time,  the 


10  THE   NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

pupil  of  the  eye  appears  large,  or  does  not  contract,  it  is 
a  bad  sign  ;  for  that  reason  it  is  best  to  observe  a  horse's 
eyes  first  in  the  shade,  taking  notice  of  the  dimensions  of 
the  pupil,  for  if  that  lessens  on  his  coming  into  a  stronger 
light  it  is  a  sure  sign  that  his  sight  is  good  and  likely  to 
continue  so. 

Upon  the  whole,  that  eye  is  generally  good  where 
the  eyeHds  are  thin,  the  eye  transparent  and  sprightly, 
and  when  the  horse  has  a  bold  resolute  look,  and  takes 
notice  of  the  different  objects  that  present  themselves 
before  him  without  fear. 

One  of  the  best  signs  of  a  good  horse  is  the  eyes 
wide  apart. 


COUNTENANCE. 

After  having  carefully  satisfied  yourself  as  to  his 
eyes,  let  him  be  brought  out,  and  have  him  stand  naked 
before  you  ;  then  take  a  strict  view  of  his  countenance, 
particularly  with  regard  to  the  cheerfulness  of  it,  this 
being  an  excellent  glass  to  observe  his  goodness  and  best 
perfections.  Be  careful  you  are  not  deceived  by  the 
marks  in  his  face,  as  frequently  a  good-looking  star  is 
made  of  cat's  skin.  If  his  ears  be  small,  sharp,  short, 
pricked,  and  moving ;  or  if  they  are  long,  but  yet  well 
set  on,  and  well  carried,  it  is  a  mark  of  goodness ;  if 
they  are  thick,  laved,  or  lolling,  wide  set,  and  unmoving, 
they  are  signs  of  dulness,  and  of  an  evil  nature. 

The  whole  substance  of  the  ears  should  be  thin  and 
delicate.  They  ought  to  be  placed  on  the  very  top  of 
the  head,  and  their  extremities  or  points  when  pricked 
up  should  be  nearer  than  their  roots.  When  a  horse 
carries  his  ears  pointed  forwards  he  is  said  to  have  a 
bold,  hardy,  or  brisk  ear ;  and  it  is  a  perfection  in  a 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIEE.  11 

5ars  when  he  is  travelling  to  have  them  firm, 
mark  every  motion  of  his  feet  by  a  slouch  of 
his  ears  like  a  hog.  ' 

A  lean  forehead,  swelling  outward,  the  mark  or  feather 
in  his  face  set  high,  with  a  white  star  or  ratch  of  an  in- 
different size,  and  even  placed,  or  a  white  snip  on  the 
nose  or  lip,  they  are  all  marks  of  beauty  and  goodness ; 
on  the  contrary,  a  fat,  cloudy,  or  frowning  countenance, 
the  mark  in  his  face  standing  low,  as  under  his  eyes,  if 
his  star  or  ratch  stand  awry,  and  instead  of  a  snip,  his 
nose  be  raw,  and  unhairy,  or  his  face  generally  bald, 
they  are  signs  of  deformity. 


THE  STRANGLES. 

This  is  a  distemper  to  which  colts  and  young  horses 
are  particularly  liable.  It  begins  with  a  swelling 
between  the  jaw-bones,  which  frequently  extends  to  the 
muscles  of  the  tongue,  and  is  generally  attended  with 
great  heat,  pain,  and  inflammation. 

In  purchasing  a  horse,  handle  his  cheeks  or  chaps, 
and  if  you  find  the  bones  lean  and  thin,  the  space  wide 
between  them,  the  thropple  or  wind-pipe  big  as  you  can 
gripe,  and  the  void  place  without  knots  or  kernels,  and 
the  jaws  so  great  that  the  neck  seems  to  couch  within 
them,  they  are  all  signs  of  great  wind,  courage,  soundness 
of  head  and  body  ;  on  the  contrary,  if  the  chaps  are 
fat  and  thick,  the  space  between  them  closed  up  with 
gross  substance,  and  the  thropple  little,  they  are  signs 
of  short  wind  and  much  inward  foulness:  should  the 
void  place  be  full  of  knots  and  kernels,  beware  of  the 
strangles  or  glanders,  the  former  of  which  may  be  easily 
discovered  by  the  swelling  between  the  two  nether  jaw- 
bones, which  discharges  a  white  matter.     There  is  also 


12  THE   NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

a  disorder  which  is  called  the  Bastard  Strangles,  which 
appears  sometimes  like,  and  sometimes  different  from  the 
true  strangles.  »  The  bastard  strangles  are  what  proves 
the  horse  has  not  thrown  off  his  true  strangles,  but  that 
some  foul  humours  are  still  left  behind  ;  this  disorder 
may  come  at  four,  five,  six,  or  even  seven  years  of  age. 
A  continual  languor  at  work,  and  seemingly  perpetually 
weary,  without  any  visible  aihnent,  is  a  certain  sign  that 
he  is  not  clear  of  this  disorder,  which  sometimes  will 
affect  the  foot,  the  leg,  the  ham,  the  haunch,  the  shoulder, 
the  breast,  or  the  eye,  and  without  care  in  this  latter 
case,  may  corrupt  the  pupil  of  the  eye,  as  the  small-poy 
does  in  men. 


MORE  FOUNDERING. 

There  is  also  another  disorder,  much  like  the  strangles* 
which  is  called  Morefoundering,  (the  word  is  of  French 
origin)  and  is  used  by  farriers  to  distinguish  those  colds 
which  a  horse  takes  by  being  suffered  to  cool  too  sud- 
denly after  violent  exercise — and  may  be  known  by  a 
running  at  the  nose. 


GLANDERS. 

A  distemper  in  horses  which  too  generally  proves 
fatal,  notwithstanding  the  many  boasted  remedies  that 
are  prescribed  for  its  cure.  In  fact  all  horses  that  are 
said  to  die  of  the  glanders,  are  victims  to  a  pulmonary 
consumption,  the  lungs  of  all  such  being  found  diseased 
or  destroyed. 

This  disease  is  known  by  a  flux  or  running  of  corrupt 
matter  from  the  nostrils,  which  is  of  different  colours, 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  13 

according  as  the  disease  is  more  or  less  inveterate,  white, 
yellow,  green,  and  sometimes  almost  black,  and  very 
fcctid,  in  which  case  it  may  be  concluded  that  the  bones 
are  become  foul. 

In  buying  a  horse,  feel  if  he  has  any  flat  glands 
fastened  to  the  nether  jaw,  which  give  him  pain  when 
you  press  them,  and  remember  that  a  running  at  one 
nostril  is  worse  than  at  both. 


VIVES. 

When  the  jaws  are  strait,  that  the  neck  swells  above 
them,  it  is  a  sign  of  short  wind ;  but  if  the  swelling  be 
long,  and  close  by  his  chaps,  like  a  whetstone,  then  be 
sure  he  has  the  vives,  which  only  differs  from  the 
strangles  in  this,  that  the  swellings  of  the  kernels  under 
the  ears  seldom  gather  or  come  to  matter. 

When  these  swellings  appear  in  an  old  or  full  aged 
horse,  they  are  signs  of  great  malignity,  and  often  of 
an  inward  decay,  as  well  as  forerunners  of  the  glanders. 

This  is  a  distemper  most  frequent  in  high  mountainous 
countries,  especially  to  horses  that  are  not  used  to  the 
crudities  produced  in  the  stomach  by  the  spring  and 
fountain  waters  that  rise  in  hilly  grounds.  Standing 
waters  or  those  of  very  little  current,  are  the  least 
dangerous,  and  seldom  cause  the  vives,  but  very  deep 
wells  are  bad. 

►  NOSTRILS. 

If  his  nostrils  be  open,  dry,  wide,  and  large,  so  as 

upon  any  straining  the  inward  redness  is  discovered  ,  if 

his  muzzle  be  small,  his  mouth  deep,  and  his  lips  equally 

meeting,  they  are  signs  of  health  and  wind ;  but  should 

2 


14  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRrEE. 

his  nostrils  be  strait,  his  wind  is  then  little.  Should  you 
find  the  muzzle  to  be  gross,  his  spirit  will  be  dull. 
Nothing  contributes  more  to  a  horse's  breathing  easy, 
and  with  freedom,  than  the  wideness  of  his  nostrils. 


THE  MOUTH. 

If  a  horse's  mouth  be  shallow  he  will  never  carry  the 
bitt  well,  and  if  his  upper  will  not  reach  his  under  lip, 
old  age  and  infirmity  mark  him  for  carrion.  When  the 
mouth  is  cloven  too  much,  there  is  a  good  deal  of 
difficulty  to  bitt  a  horse  so  that  he  may  not  "  swallow  it," 
as  horsemen  term  it.  The  compliance  and  obedience 
of  a  horse  in  the  manege,  is  owing,  in  a  great  measure, 
to  the  tender,  or  quick  sense  of  his  mouth,  which  ren- 
ders him  fearful  of  being  hurt  by  the  bitt.  A  horse 
that  has  a  very  fine  mouth  will  stop  if  his  rider  merely 
bends  his  body  backward  and  raise  his  hand,  without 
waiting  for  the  check  of  the  bridle. 


AGE. 

Respecting  the  age  of  a  horse  that  is  fit  for  work,  he 
should  have  forty  teeth ;  twenty -four  grinders,  which 
teach  us  nothing,  and  sixteen  others,  which  have  their 
names,  and  discover  his  age.  As  mares  usually  have 
no  tusks,  their  teeth  are  only  thirty-six.  A  colt  is 
foaled  without  teeth ;  in  a  few  days  he  puts  out  four, 
which  are  called  pincers,  or  nippers ;  soon  after  appear 
the  four  separators  :  Next  to  the  pincers,  it  is  sometimes 
three  or  four  months  before  the  next,  called  corner  teeth, 
push  forth.  These  twelve  colt's  teeth,  in  the  front  of 
the  mouth,  continue,  without  alteration,  till  the  colt  is 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  15 

two  years,  or  two  years  and  a  half  old,  which  makes  it 
difficult,  without  great  care,  to  avoid  being  imposed  on 
during  the  interval,  if  the  seller  finds  it  his  interest  to 
make  the  colt  pass  for  either  younger  or  older  than  he 
really  is  ;  the  only  rule  you  have  then  to  judge  by  is  his 
coat,  and  the  hairs  of  his  mane  and  tail.  A  colt  of 
one  year  has  a  supple,  rough  coat,  resembling  that  of  a 
water  spaniel,  and  the  hair  of  his  mane  and  tail  feels 
like  flax,  and  hangs  like  a  rope  untwisted ;  whereas  a 
colt  of  two  years  has  a  flat  coat,  and  straight  hairs,  like 
a  grown  horse. 

At  about  two  years  and  a  half  old,  sometimes  sooner, 
sometimes  later,  according  as  he  has  been  fed,  a  horse 
begins  to  change  his  teeth.  The  pincers,  which  come 
the  first,  are  also  the  first  that  fall ;  so  that  at  three  years 
he  has  four  horse's,  and  eight  colt's  teeth,  which  are 
easily  known  apart,  the  former  being  larger,  flatter,  and 
yellower  than  the  other,  and  streaked  from  the  end  quite 
into  the  gums. 

These  four  horse  pincers  have,  in  the  middle  of  their 
extremities,  a  black  hole,  very  deep ;  whereas  those  of 
the  colt  are  round  and  white.  When  the  horse  is 
coming  four  years  old,  he  loses  his  four  separators,  or 
middle  teeth,  and  puts  forth  four  others,  which  follow 
the  same  rule  as  the  pincers.  He  has  now  eight  horse's 
teeth,  and  four  colt's.  At  five  years  old  he  sheds  the 
four  corner,  which  are  his  last  colt's  teeth,  and  is  called 
a  horse. 

During  this  year  also,  his  four  tusks  (which  are 
chiefly  peculiar  to  horses)  come  behind  the  others  ;  the 
lower  ones  often  four  months  before  the  upper ;  but 
whatever  may  be  vulgarly  thought,  a  horse  that  has  the 
two  lower  tusks,  if  he  has  not  the  upper,  may  be  judged 
to  be  under  five  years  old,  unless  the  other  teeth  show 
the  contrary ;  for  some  horses  that  live  to  be  very  old 


16  THE    NEW    POCKET   PARKIER. 

never  have  any  upper  tusks  at  all.  The  two  lower  tusks 
are  one  of  the  most  certain  rules  that  a  horse  is  coming 
five  years  old,  notwithstanding  his  colt's  teeth  may  not 
be  all  gone. 

Jockies  and  breeders,  in  order  to  make  their  colts 
seem  five  years  old  when  they  are  but  four,  pull  out 
their  last  colt's  teeth  ;  but  if  all  the  colt's  teeth  are  gone, 
and  no  tusks  appear,  you  may  be  certain  this  trick  has 
been  played.  Another  artifice  they  use,  is  to  beat  the 
bars  every  day  with  a  wooden  mallet,  in  the  place  where 
the  tusks  are  to  appear,  in  order  to  make  them  seem 
hard,  as  if  the  tusks  were  just  ready  to  cut. 

When  a  horse  is  coming  six  years  old,  the  two  lower 
pincers  fill  up,  and,  instead  of  the  holes  above-mentioned, 
show  only  a  black  spot.  Between  six  and  seven  the  two 
middle  teeth  fill  up  in  the  same  manner;  and  between 
seven  and  eight  the  corner  teeth  do  the  like  ;  after  which 
it  is  said  to  be  impossible  to  know  certainly  the  age  of 
a  horvse,  he  having  no  longer  any  mark  in  the  mouth. 

You  can  indeed  only  have  recourse  to  the  tusks,  and 
the  situation  of  the  teeth,  of  which  I  shall  now  speak. 

For  the  tusks  you  must  with  your  finger  feel  the 
inside  of  them  from  the  point  quite  to  the  gum.  If  the 
tusk  be  pointed  flat,  and  has  two  little  channels  within 
side,  you  may  be  certain  the  horse  is  not  old,  and  at  the 
utmost  only  coming  ten.  Between  eleven  and  twelve 
the  two  channels  are  reduced  to  one,  which  after  twelve 
is  quite  gone,  and  the  tusks  are  as  round  within  as  they 
are  without;  you  have  no  guide  then  but  the  situation 
of  the  teeth.  The  longest  teeth  are  not  always  a  sign 
of  the  greatest  age,  but  their  hanging  over  and  pushing 
forward,  as  their  meeting,  perpendicularly,  is  a  certain 
token  of  youth. 

Many  persons,  whilst  they  see  certain  little  holes  in 
the  middle  of  the  teeth,  imagine,  that  such  horses  are 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  17 

but  in  their  seventh  year,  without  regard  to  the  situation 
the  teeth  take  as  they  grow  old. 

When  horses  are  young,  theij*  teeth  meet  perpendicu- 
larly, but  grow  longer,  and  push  forward  with  age; 
besides,  the  mouth  of  a  young  horse  is  very  fleshy  within 
in  the  palate,  and  his  lips  are  firm  and  hard  :  on  the 
contrary,  the  inside  of  an  old  horse's  mouth  is  lean  both 
above  and  below,  and  seems  to  have  only  the  skin  upon 
the  bones.  The  lips  are  soft  and  easy  to  turn  up  with 
the  hand. 

All  horses  are  marked  in  the  same  manner,  but  some 
naturally,  and  others  artificially.  The  natural  mark  is 
called  Begue,  and  some  ignorant  persons  imagine  such 
horses  are  marked  all  their  lives,  because  for  many  years 
they  find  a  little  hole,  or  a  kind  of  void  in  the  middle  of 
the  separators  and  corner  teeth  ;  but  when  the  tusks  are 
grown  round,  as  well  within  as  without,  and  the  teeth 
point  forward,  there  is  room  to  conjecture  in  proportion 
as  they  advance  from  year  to  year,  what  the  horse's  age 
may  be,  without  regarding  the  cavity  above  mentioned. 

The  artificial  manner  is  made  use  of  by  dealers  and 
jockies,  who  mark  their  horses,  after  the  age  of  them  is 
known,  to  make  them  appear  only  six  or  seven  years 
old.  They  do  it  in  this  manner :  They  throw  down  the 
horse  to  have  him  more  at  command,  and,  with  a  steel 
graver,  like  what  is  used  for  ivory,  hollow  the  middle 
teeth  a  little,  and  the  corner  ones  somewhat  more;  then 
fill  the  holes  with  a  little  rosin,  pitch,  sulphur,  or  some 
grains  of  wheat,  which  they  burn  in  with  a  bit  of  hot 
wire,  made  in  proportion  to  the  hole.  This  operation 
they  repeat  from  time  to  time,  till  they  give  the  hole  a 
lasting  black,  in  imitation  of  nature ;  but  in  spite  of  all 
they  can  do,  the  hot  iron  makes  a  little  yellowish  circle 
round  these  holes,  like  what  it  would  leave  upon  ivory ; 
they  have  therefore  another  trick  to  prevent  detection, 
2* 


18  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

which  is  to  make  the  horse  foam  from  time  to  time,  after 
having  rubbed  his  mouth,  lips,  and  gums  with  salt,  and 
the  crumb  of  bread  dried  and  powdered  with  salt.  This 
foam  hides  the  circle  made  by  the  iron. 

Another  thing  they  cannot  do,  is,  to  counterfeit  young 
tusks,  it  being  out  of  their  power  to  make  those  two 
crannies  above  mentioned,  which  are  given  by  nature. 
With  files  they  may  make  them  sharper  or  flatter,  but 
then  they  take  away  the  shining  natural  enamel,  so  that 
one  may  always  know,  by  these  tusks,  horses  that  are 
past  seven,  till  they  come  to  twelve  or  thirteen. 

[from    the   AMERICAN   FARMER.] 

AGE  BY   FEELING. 

A  wonderful  discovery  recently  made  in  an  old  Horse^s  age  I! 

Since  the  age  of  that  noble  animal,  the  horse,  after  a 
certain  period  of  life,  (that  is  to  say)  after  the  marks  in 
his  incisors  and  cuspidati  are  entirely  obliterated,  to  be 
able  to  ascertain  his  age,  with  any  tolerable  degree  of 
certainty,  appears  to  the  generality  of  "  horse  age 
Judges,""  to  be  a  subject  of  very  much  uncertainty,  I 
now  take  the  liberty  of  laying  before*the  public,  through 
the  mediunn  of  your  paper,  an  infallible  method  (subject 
to  very  few  exceptions)  of  ascertaining  it  in  such  a  man- 
ner, after  a  horse  loses  his  marks,  or  after  he  arrives  to 
the  age  of  nine  years  or  over  ;  so  that  any  person  con- 
cerned in  horses,  even  of  the  meanest  capacity,  may  not 
be  imposed  upon  in  a  horse's  age,  from  nine  years  of 
age  and  over,  more  than  three  years  at  farthest,  until 
the  animal  arrives  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  and  up- 
wards, by  Just  feeling  the  submaxillary  bone,  or  the 
bone  of  the  lower  Jaw, 


THE   NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  19 

This  method  I  discovered,  by  making  many  anatom- 
ical observations  on  the  skulls  of  dead  horses  and  re- 
peated dissections.  In  order,  therefore,  to  elucidate  the 
above,  I  must  in  the  first  place  beg  leave  to  remark  ;  that 
the  submaxillary  bone,  or  the  lower  javi^  bone  of  all 
young  horses,  about  four  or  five  years  of  age,  immedi- 
ately above  the  bifurcation,  is  invariably  thick  and  very 
round  at  the  bottom;  the  cavity  of  said  bone  being  very 
small,  contains  a  good  deal  of  marrow,  and  generally 
continues  in  this  state  until  the  animal  arrives  at  that 
period  which  is  generally  termed  an  "  aged  horse,"  or 
until  the  animal  acquires  his  full  size  in  height  or  thick- 
ness ;  or  according  to  sporting  language,  is  completely 
furnished,  with  very  little  variation.  But  after  this 
period,  the  cavity  as  aforesaid  becomes  larger,  and  more 
marrow  is  contained  therein.  Hence  the  submaxillary 
bone  becomes  thinner  and  sharper  a  little  above  the  bi- 
furcation. 

This  indelible  mark  may  always  be  observed  in  a 
small  degree  in  horses  above  eight  years  of  age  ;  but  at 
nine  years  old  it  is  still  more  perceptible.  It  continues 
growing  a  little  thinner  and  sharper  at  the  bottom  until 
twelve  years  of  age.  From  thence  until  fifteen,  it  is 
still  thinner,  and  about  as  sharp  as  the  back  of  a  case 
knife  near  the  handle.  From  this  period  until  the  ages 
18, 19,  20,  and  upwards,  it  is  exceedingly  so  ;  and  is  as 
sharp,  in  many  subjects,  as  the  dull  edge  of  that  instru- 
ment.        ^ 

RULES. 

1st.  Put  your  three  fingers  about  half  an  inch  or  an 
inch  immediately  above  the  bifurcation,  and  grasp  the 
submaxillary  bone,  or  the  lower  jaw  bone.  If  it  is  thick 
at  the  sides,  and  very  round  indeed  at  the  bottom,  the 
animal  is  most  certainly  under  nine  years  of  age. 


20  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

2d..  If  the  bone  is  not  very  thick,  and  it  is  perceiva- 
bly  not  very  round  at  the  bottom,  he  is  from  nine  to 
twelve  years  old,  and  so  on.  From  twelve  to  fifieen, 
the  bone  is  sharper  at  bottom,  and  thinner  at  the  sides, 
the  bottom  is  generally  as  sharp  as  the  back  of  a  case 
knife;  and  from  15  to  18,  19,  20,  and  upwards,  with- 
out many  exceptions,  the  bone,  when  divested  of  its 
integuments,  is  as  sharp  as  the  dull  edge  of  that  instru- 
ment. 

3d.  Allowances  nnust  always  be  made  between 
heavy,  large  western  or  wagon  horses,  or  carriage 
horses,  and  fine  blooded  ones.  By  practising  and 
strictly  attending  to  the  above  rules,  upon  all  descrip- 
tions of  horses,  the  performer  in  a  little  time  will  become 
very  accurate  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  desires, 
more  especially  if  he  attentively  observes  the  lower  jaw 
bone  of  dead  horses." 


THE    BARBS,    THE    LAMPAS,    GIGGS    UPON 
THE  LIPS,  AND  GAGG-TEETH. 

As  the  defects  of  the  mouth  may  destroy  a  horse 
without  any  distemper,  it  will  here  be  proper  to  give 
information  as  follows : 

For  the  barbs,  look  under  the  horse's  tongue,  and  see 
if  he  has  not  two  fleshy  excrescences  on  the  under  palate, 
like  little  bladders.  It  seems  to  be  a  mere  trifle,  but 
these,  however,  will  hinder  a  horse  from  drinking  as 
usual  ;  and  if  he  does  not  drink  freely,  he  eats  the  less, 
and  languishes  from  day  to  day,  perhaps,  without  any 
one's  taking  notice  of  it. 

The  lampas  is  known  by  opening  the  horse's  mouth, 
and  looking  at  his  upper  palate,  to  see  if  the  flesh  comes 
down  below  the  inner  teeth :    this  gives   him  pain  in 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  21 

eating  his  oats,  and  even  his  hay,  when  it  is  too  harsh ; 

though  he  can  very  well  manage  bran,  grass,  or  kind 
hay.  The  lampas  causes  a  horse  to  look  rueful  and  fall 
away. 

When  you  have  looked  into  the  horse's  mouth,  with- 
out finding  either  the  lampas  or  the  barbs,  turn  up  his 
lips  both  upper  and  under,  and  perhaps  you  may  find 
what  are  termed  giggs,  consisting  of  small  swellings  or 
pustules  on  the  inside  of  the  lips,  which  will  sometimes 
increase  to  the  size  of  a  large  walnut,  at  which  advanced 
state  they  are  so  painful  that  the  horse  will  let  his  meat 
fall  out  of  his  mouth,  or  keep  it  there  unchewed,  sooner 
than  attempt  lo  eat  it.  This  defect  may  be  felt  with  the 
finger,  and  is  what  hinders  horses  from  eating  as  usual ; 
and  this  is  what  is  called  giggs  upon  the  lips. 

Gagg-teeth  does  not  often  happen  to  young  horses, 
though  sometimes  it  is  met  with  ;  and  is  to  be  discovered 
by  putting  the  colt's-foot  into  the  mouth,  and  looking  at 
the  large  grinders,  which  in  this  case  appear  unequal, 
and  in  eating  catch  hold  of  the  inside  of  the  cheeks, 
causing  great  pain  and  making  them  refuse  their  food. 


THE  BREAST. 

The  breast  of  a  horse  should  be  full  and  large,  and 
you  should  look  from  his  head  down  to  his  breast,  and 
see  that  it  be  broad,  outswelling,  and  adorned  with  many 
features,  for  this  shows  strength :  the  little,  or  small 
breast  shows  weakness,  as  the  narrow  one  is  apt  to 
stumble. 

THE  ANTICOR,  OR  ANTICOW. 

This  is  a  malignant  swelling  in  the  throat  and  breast 


22  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

of  a  horse,  extending  in  some  cases  to  the  very  sheath 
under  the  belly,  and  is  mortal  to  horses  if  they  are  not 
soon  relieved. 

In  going  to  purchase,  put  your  hand  between  his 
fore-legs,  and  you  can  very  readily  feel  if  he  has  or  has 
not  such  a  swelling.  Anticor  proceeds  from  different 
causes,  viz.  the  remains  of  an  old  distemper  which  was 
never  perfectly  cured,  or  after  which  the  horse  was  too 
soon  put  to  labour;  from  too  much  heat  contracted  in 
the  stable,  by  being  kept  up  a  long  time  without  airing, 
or  from  having  lost  too  large  a  quantity  of  blood  in  what 
part  soever  the  vein  was  opened.  When  you  touch  a 
swelling  of  this  kind,  the  impressions  of  the  fingers 
remain  for  some  time,  as  if  you  had  made  them  in  a 
bit  of  puff  paste,  filling  up  again  by  degrees  as  the  paste 
would  rise.  This  swelling  contains  bloody  water,  that 
insinuates  between  the  flesh  and  the  skin,  and  proves 
that  all  the  blood  in  the  veins  is  corrupted. 


THE  THIGHS  AND  LEGS. 

See  that  the  fore-thighs  be  rush  grown,  well  horned 
within,  sinewed,  fleshy  and  outswelling;  those  being 
signs  of  strength,  as  the  contrary  are  of  weakness.  If 
his  knees  bear  a  proportion  to  each  other,  be  lean, 
sinewy,  and  close  knit,  they  are  good ;  but  if  one  is 
bigger  or  rounder  than  the  other,  the  horse  has  received 
mischief;  if  they  are  gross,  he  is  gouty,  and  if  he  has 
scars,  or  the  hair  be  broken,  beware  of  a  stumbling  jade, 
and  perpetual  fallen 

The  hind  parts,  from  the  hip-bone  to  the  hock,  should 
be  of  great  length  ;  the  hind  legs  should  be  full  of  sinew, 
clear  of  knots,  and  rather  crooked  than  straight  in  the 
hock.     Be  careful  to  avoid  buying  a  horse  knock-kneed, 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  23 

or  with  feet  turned  in  or  out,  for  a  horse  of  this  make 
never  can  be  sure  footed,  and  he  moves  ugly. 


SPLINTS. 

This  may  be  looked  upon  as  a  disorder  of  the  fore- 
legs, though  occurring  on  the  hind  ones  at  times. 

Look  down  his  legs  to  his  pasterns,  and  if  you  find 
them  clean,  lean,  flat,  sinewy,  and  the  invvard  bouglit 
of  his  knee  without  seams,  or  hair  broken,  it  shows  a 
good  shape  and  soundness ;  but  if  on  the  inside  of  the 
leg  you  find  hard  knots,  they  are  splints,  of  which  there 
are  three  sorts.  The  simple  splint,  which  appears  with- 
in the  leg  under  the  knee,  remote  from  the  great  nerve 
and  the  joint  of  the  knee,  ought  not  to  hinder  a  man 
from  buying  a  good  horse,  for  it  gives  him  no  pain,  is 
only  disagreeable  to  the  sight,  and  goes  away  in  time  of 
itself  All  the  three  sorts  of  splints  are  known  by  the 
same  rule  ;  for  whenever  you  see  a  tumour  upon  the  flat 
of  the  leg,  whether  within  or  without,  if  it  be  under  the 
knee,  and  appears  hard  to  the  touch,  it  is  a  splint ;  and 
when  it  is  situated  as  above  described,  it  signifies  no- 
thing ;  but  when  it  comes  upon  the  joint  of  the  knee, 
without  any  interval,  it  loses  the  name  of  splint,  and 
may  be  called  a  fusee ;  it  then,  as  one  may  easily  con- 
ceive, makes  the  leg  of  a  horse  stifle,  and  hinders  him 
from  bending  his  knee  ;  consequently  it  obliges  him  to 
stumble,  and  even  fall,  and  after  a  violent  exercise 
makes  him  lame.  Rest  alone  cures  the  lameness,  but 
not  the  fusee. 

The  third  kind  of  splint,  whether  within  or  without, 
is  when  you  feel  it  between  the  nerve  and  the  bone,  and 
sometimes  even  at  the  end  of  the  nerve ;  this  is  called  a 
nervous  splint,  and  is  the  worst  of  all  the  kinds ;  besides 


24  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

that,  the  horse  is  never  here  so  firm  footed,  but  that  he 
limps  at  every  little  degree  of  labour. 


OSSLETS. 

There  are  also  three  kinds  of  osslels,  which  are  of 
the  same  nature  as  splints,  and  some  persons  take  them 
for  the  same  thing ;  but  there  is  this  difference  however 
between  them,  that  splints  come  near  the  knees,  and  oss- 
lets  near  the  fetlocks.  Their  seat  is  indifferently  within 
or  without  the  leg. 

The  first  is  the  simple  osslet,  which  does  not  grow 
near  the  joint  of  the  fetlock  or  the  nerve. 

This  need  not  hinder  any  man  from  buying  a  horse, 
because  it  puts  him  to  no  inconvenience,  and  very  often 
goes  away  of  itself  without  a  remedy.  The  second  is 
that  which  descends  into  the  fetlock,  and  hinders  the 
motion  of  that  joint;  this  occasions  a  horse  to  stumble 
and  fall,  and  with  a  very  little  work  to  become  lame. 
The  third  has  its  seat  between  the  bone  and  the  nerve, 
and  sometimes  upon  the  nerve  ;  it  so  much  incommodes 
a  horsey  that  he  cannot  stand  firm,  but  limps  on  every 
little  occasion. 

WINDGALLS. 

There  are  also  three  kinds  of  windgalls,  which  ap- 
pear to  the  eye  much  like  osslets,  but  are  not,  however, 
just  in  the  same  places  ;  nor  do  they  feel  like  them,  for 
osslets  are  hard,  but  windgalls  give  way  to  the  touch. 
Some  horses  are  more  liable  to  these  than  others,  and 
that  for  several  reasons.  Some  proceed  from  old  worn- 
out  sires,  and  others  by  being  worked  too  young.  A 
simple  windgall  is  a  little  tumour,  between  the  skin  and 


THE   NEW   POCKET   FARRIER.  25 

the  flesh,  round  the  fetlocks :  when  it  appears  at  a  good 
distance  from  the  large  nerve,  it  does  not  lame  the 
horse ;  and  if  he  has  but  age  on  his  side,  that  is,  be 
under  ten  years  old,  at  most,  he  will  be  as  useful  as  be- 
fore, provided  the  work  you  put  him  to,  be  not  of  the 
most  laborious  kind ;  however,  a  horse  is  much  better 
without,  than  with  even  this  sort  of  simple  windgall, 
which  consists  of  thin  skins,  full  of  red  liquid,  and  soft 
to  the  touch.  The  nervous  windgall  answers  the  same 
description,  only,  as  the  simple  ones  come  upon  the  fet- 
lock, or  a  little  above  it,  upon  the  leg  bone,  in  the  very 
place  of  osslets,  nervous  ones  come  behind  the  fetlock, 
upon  the  great  nerve,  which  makes  them  of  worse  con- 
sequence, for  they  never  fail  to  lame  a  horse  after  much 
fatigue.  These  windgalls  may  happen  upon  any  of  the 
legs,  but  some  of  them  are  more  dangerous  than  others, 
m  proportion  as  they  press  the  nerve,  and  are  capable 
of  laming  the  horse ;  and  take  notice  by  the  way,  that 
windgalls  are  more  troublesome  in  summer  than  in 
winter,  especially  in  very  hot  weather,  when  the  pores 
are  all  open.  The  third  sort  is  the  bloated  windgall, 
and  is  of  the  worst  sort  when  they  come  over  the  hind 
part  of  the  fetlock,  between  the  bone  and  the  large 
nerve,  and  make  the  horse  so  lame  at  every  little  thing  he 
does,  that  he  can  scarce  set  his  foot  on  the  ground  :  they 
appear  on  both  sides  the  leg,  without  as  well  as  within  ; 
and  when  you  touch  them  with  your  hand  or  finger, 
they  feel  like  a  pig's  or  cow's  bladder  full  of  wind.  If 
under  his  knees  there  are  scabs  on  the  inside,  it  is  the 
speedy  or  swift  cut,  and  in  that  case  he  will  but  ill  en- 
dure galloping;  if  above  the  pasterns,  on  the  inside, 
you  find  scabs,  it  shows  interfering  ;  but  if  the  scabs  be 
generally  over  his  legs,  it  is  either  occasioned  by  foul 
keeping,  or  a  spice  of  the  mange. 

It  is  seldom  that  a  horse  is  found  entirely  clear  of 
3 


26  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

windgalls,  particularly  about  the  hind  legs,  if  he  be 
much  used. 

THE  PASTERN  AND  PASTERN-JOINT. 

Take  care  that  the  pastern-joint  be  clear  and  well  knit 
together,  and  that  the  pastern  be  strong,  short  and  up- 
right ;  for  if  the  pastern-joint  be  big  or  swelled,  beware 
of  sinew  strains ;  if  the  pastern  be  long,  weak  or  bend- 
ing, the  limbs  will  hardly  be  able  to  carry  the  body 
without  tiring.  Indeed  the  experience  of  every  one  will 
tell  you  that  horses  with  long  pasterns  cannot  travel  near 
80  well  as  those  with  short  ones. 


HOOFS. 

The  hoofs  should  be  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the 
horse,  black,  smooth,  tough,  nearly  round,  deep,  hollow, 
and  full-sounding;  for  white  hoofs  are  tender,  and  carry 
a  shoe  ill,  and  a  brittle  hoof  will  carry  no  shoe  at  all : 
a  flat  hoof,  that  is  pumiced,  shows  foundering ;  and  a 
hoof  that  is  empty,  and  hollow-sounding,  shows  a  de- 
cayed inward  part,  by  reason  of  some  wound  or  dry 
founder,  if  the  hair  lie  smooth,  and  close  about  the 
crown  of  the  hoof,  and  the  flesh  flat  and  even,  then  all 
is  perfect ;  but  should  the  hair  be  there  rough,  the  skin 
scabbed,  and  the  flesh  rising,  you  may  then  be  appre- 
hensive of  a  ring  bone,  a  crown  scab,  or  a  quitter  bone. 

Some  horses'  hoofs  are  not  round,  but  broad,  spreading 
out  of  the  sides  and  quarters ;  such  have,  for  the  most 
part,  narrow  heels,  and  will  at  length  come  to  be  flat- 
hoofed,  neither  will  they  carry  their  shoes  long,  nor 
travel  far,  being  apt  to  surbate  or  founder.  Horses  with 
crooked  hoofs  are  splay-footed,  and  consequently  go  with 


THE    NEW   POCKET   FARRIER.  27 

their  joints  so  close  together,  that  they  cannot  travel 
without  cutting  or  interfering,  or,  what  is  still  worse, 
without  striking  one  leg  so  hard  against  the  other  as  to 
produce  lameness. 

CIRCLED    FEET. 


Circled  feet  are  very  easy  to  be  known :  they  are, 
when  you  see  little  excrescences  round  the  hoof,  which 
enclose  the  foot,  and  appear  like  so  many  small  circles. 
Dealers  who  have  such  horses,  never  fail  to  rasp  round 
their  hoofs,  in  order  to  make  them  smooth  ;  and  to  con- 
ceal the  rasping,  when  they  are  to  show  them  for  sale, 
they  black  the  hoofs  all  over  ;  for  without  that,  one  may 
easily  perceive  what  has  been  done,  and  seeing  the  mark 
of  the  rasp,  is  a  proof  that  the  horse  is  subject  to  this 
accident.  As  to  the  causes,  it  proceeds  from  the  remains 
of  an  old  distemper,  or  from  having  been  foundered ; 
and  the  disease  being  cured  without  care  being  taken  of 
the  feet,  whereupon  the  circulation  of  the  blood  not 
being  regularly  made,  especially  round  the  crown,  be- 
tween the  hair  and  the  horn,  the  part  loses  its  nourish- 
ment, and  contracts  or  enlarges  itself  in  proportion  as 
the  horse  is  worked.  If  these  circles  were  only  on  the 
surface,  the  jockies'  method  of  rasping  them  down 
would  then  be  good  for  nothing ;  but  they  form  them- 
selves also  within  the  feet,  as  well  as  without,  and 
consequently  press  on  the  sensible  part,  and  make  a 
horse  limp  with  ever  so  little  labour.  One  may  justly 
compare  a  horse  in  this  situation,  to  a  man  that  has 
corns  on  his  feet,  and  yet  is  obliged  to  walk  a  long  way 
in  shoes  that  are  too  tight  and  stubborn  :  a  horse  there- 
fore is  worth  a  great  deal  less  on  this  account. 


28  THE   NEW  POCKET  FABRIEE. 

BOW  LEGGED. 

After  having  well  examined  the  feet,  stand  about  three 
paces  from  his  shoulders,  and  look  carefully  that  he  h, 
not  bow  legged,  which  proceeds  from  two  differen 
causes ;  first,  from  nature,  when  a  horse  has  been  go 
by  a  worn  out  stallion  ;  and  secondly,  from  his  having 
been  worked  too  young ;  neither  in  the  one  case  nor  the 
other  is  the  horse  of  any  value,  because  he  never  can 
be  sure-footed  ;  it  is  also  a  disagreeable  sight  if  the  knees 
point  forwards,  and  his  legs  turn  in  under  him,  so  that 
the  knees  come  much  further  out  than  the  feet ;  it  is 
what  is  called  a  bow  legged  horse,  and  such  a  one  ought 
to  be  rejected  for  any  service  whatsoever,  as  he  never 
can  stand  firm  on  his  legs ;  and  how  handsome  soever 
he  may  otherwise  be,  he  should  on  no  account  be  used 
for  a  stallion,  because  all  his  progeny  will  have  the  same 
deformity. 

THE  HEAD. 

Stand  by  the  horse's  side  and  take  particular  notice 
that  his  head  be  well  set  on  ;  for  if  thick  set,  be  assured 
it  will  cause  him  to  toss  up  his  nose  for  want  of  wind, 
which  causes  a  horse  to  carry  his  head  disagreeably 
high,  and  occasions  a  ticklish  mouth. 

His  face  should  be  rather  of  the  Roman  order  than 
straight. 

The  head  of  a  horse  should  be  narrow,  lean,  and 
not  too  long. 

THE  NECK  AND  THE  MANE. 

The  neck  of  a  horse  is  a  part  that  adds  greatly  to  his 
beauty  or  deformity. 


THE   NEW    POCKET    FAHRIER.  29 

His  neck  should  be  small  at  the  setting  on  of  his  head, 
and  long,  growing  deeper  to  the  shoulders,  with  a  high, 
strong,  and  thin  mane,  long,  soft,  and  somewhat  curling. 
The  upper  edge  should  form  the  half  of  an  arch, 
gradually  falling  in  height  and  shape  from  the  head  to 
the  shoulders.  A  well-shaped  neck  contributes  greatly 
to  the  horse's  going  light  on  the  hand,  as  a  coarse  ill- 
shaped  one  does  to  making  him  go  heavy. 

Much  hair  on  the  mane  shows  dulness,  as  too  thin  a 
mane  shows  fury ;  and  to  have  none,  or  if  it  be  shed, 
is  a  proof  of  the  worm  in  it,  the  itch,  or  manginess. 
The  mane  should  be  moderately  thin,  and  in  length  half 
the  width  of  the  neck. 

To  have  a  short  thick  neck,  like  a  bull,  to  have  it 
falling  on  the  withers,  shows  want  of  strength  and 
mettle. 

THE  POLL-EVi;.. 

This  is  a  large  bigness  or  swelling  in  the  nape  of  the 
neck,  and  the  gentleman  going  to  purchase  can  easily 
see  by  the  size  of  the  horse's  neck  whether  he  has  it  or 
not.  It  proceeds  from  some  blow,  bruise  or  external 
injury,  and  its  consequences  are  much  to  be  dreaded. 
John  Hinds,  a  distinguished  English  farrier  says,  "  the 
most  prolific  cause  of  poll-evil  I  am  inclined  to  attribute 
to  the  low  stable  door-way,  whereby  the  animal  gets 
many  a  trivial  hit  at  going  in  and  coming  out." 


THE  SHOULDERS. 

The  shoulders  of  a  horse  should  be  sharp  and  narrow 
at  the  withers,  and  thrown  far  back,  for  experience  has 
proved  that  such  as  have  low  shoulders  with  high  rumps, 
3* 


30  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

never  show  to  advantage,  and  seldom  make  good  saddle 
or  race  horses.* 

In  showing  a  horse,  a  dealer,  or  jockey,  will  generally 
place  him  with  his  fore  feet  on  a  higher  ground  than  his 
hind  ones,  in  order  that  the  shoulder  may  appear  further 
in  his  back,  and  make  him  higher  in  sight  than  he  really 
is ;  but  be  sure  to  cause  him  to  be  led  on  level  ground, 
and  see  that  his  shoulders  lie  well  into  his  back  ;  for  an 
upright  shouldered  horse  carries  his  v/eight  too  forward, 
which  is  disagreeable,  and  unsafe  to  the  rider.  Have 
his  fore  legs  stand  even,  and  you  will  then  have  it  in 
your  power  to  judge  of  his  shoulders.  If  you  do  not 
observe  this,  the  dealer  will  contrive  that  his  near  leg 
stands  before  the  other,  as  the  shoulders,  in  that  position, 
appear  to  lay  further  in  the  back.  If  his  knees  stand 
nearly  close,  and  his  toes  quite  in  a  line,  not  turning  in, 
nor  yet  turning  out,  be  assured  he  will  not  cut ;  if  he 
takes  his  legs  up  a  moderate  height,  and  neither  clambers, 
nor  yet  goes  too  near  the  ground,  he  will  most  likely 
answer  your  purpose. 


BACK,  BODY,  &c. 

Observe  that  the  chine  of  his  back  be  broad,  even 
and  straight,  his  ribs  well  compassed,  and  bending 
outward,  his  fillets  upright,  strong,  short,  and  above  an 
handful  between  his  last  rib  and  his  buckle  bone ;  his 
belly  should  be  well  let  down,  yet  hidden  within  his  ribs, 
and  his  stones  close  thrust  up  to  his  body,  those  being 
marks  of  health  and  goodness.  Be  careful  in  observing 
that  he  has  no  swelling  in  his  testicles,  a  disorder  that 

*  Eclipse  is  the  only  instance,  we  believe,  on  record  to  the 
contrary.     "  The  shoulder  of  Eclipse  was  a  low  one." 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIEK.  31 

usually  proceeds  either  from  some  strain  in  working,  or 
from  the  horse's  having  continued  too  long  in  the  stable, 
or  from  his  putting  one  leg  over  any  bar,  and  being 
checked  by  the  halter,  or,  in  a  word,  from  any  other 
accident  that  confines  a  horse,  makes  him  kicH  or  fling, 
and  bruise  his  cods,  and  there  is  no  other  way  of 
knowing  this  distemper,  but  by  some  outward  swelling 
upon  the  part. 

The  coming  down  of  the  testicles  proceeds  from  the 
same  causes,  with  this  difference  only,  that  it  is  a  long 
time  of  discovering  itself;  whereas  the  other  may  come 
in  one  night.  If  his  chine  be  narrow,  he  will  never 
carry  a  saddle  well ;  and  to  have  it  bending  or  saddle 
backed,  shows  weakness.  If  his  ribs  be  flat,  there  is 
but  small  liberty  for  wind.  Should  his  fillets  hang  low, 
or  weak,  he  will  never  climb  a  hill,  or  carry  a  burden 
well.  A  belly  that  is  clung  up,  or  gaunt,  and  stones 
hanging  down  loose,  are  signs  of  sickness,  tenderness, 
foundering  in  the  body,  and  unaptness  for. labour.  His 
buttocks  should  be  round,  plump,  full,  and  in  an  even 
level  with  his  body  :  the  narrow,  pin  buttock,  the  hog  or 
swine  rump,  and  the  falling  and  down-let  buttock,  shows 
an  injury  in  nature.  The  horse  that  is  deep  in  his 
girthing  place,  is  generally  of  great  strength.  His 
hinder  thighs  or  gastains,  should  be  well  let  down  even 
to  the  middle  joint,  thick,  brawny,  full,  and  swelling,  this 
being  a  great  sign  of  strength  and  goodness  ;  lank  and 
slender  thighs  show  disability  and  weakness.  From  the 
thigh  bone  to  the  hock  it  should  be  pretty  long,  but  short 
from  the  hock  to  the  pastern.  Observe  the  middle  joint 
behind,  and  if  it  be  nothing  but  skin  and  bone,  veins 
and  sinews,  rather  a  little  bending  than  too  straight,  it 
is  perfect  as  it  should  be ;  on  the  contrary  should  it  have 
chaps  or  sores  on  the  inward  bought,  or  bending,  it 
is  a  fallender. 


32  THE  NEW   POCKET   FAKRIER. 

A  narrow-chested  horse  can  never  have  a  good  body, 
nor  breathe  well,  and  such  horses  as  have  straight  ribs, 
and  are  at  the  same  time  great  feeders,  will  soon  distend 
their  bellies  to  such  a  degree  that  it  will  be  impossible 
for  their  entrails  to  be  contained  within  their  ribs,  but 
they  will  press  down,  and  form  what  is  called  a  cow's 
belly.  A  man  should  never  purchase  a  light-bellied  and 
fiery  horse,  because  he  will  quickly  destroy  himself; 
but  in  this  case,  care  should  be  taken  to  distinguish 
between  fierceness  and  vigour.  Light-bellied  horses  are 
apt  to  be  troubled  with  spavins. 


SPAVINS. 

A  permanent  cure  of  the  spavin  can  rarely  be  made, 
and  we  consider  a  spavined  horse  as  a  ruined  one. 

A  spavin  is  a  lump  or'  swelling  on  the  inside  of  the 
hock,  that  benumbs  the  limbs  and  destroys  the  free  use 
of  the  hind  legs.  It  makes  the  horse  go  extremely 
lame,  and  causes  him  much  agony. 

Should  the  joint  be  generally  swelled  all  over,  he 
must  have  had  a  blow  or  bruise ;  if  in  any  particular 
part,  as  in  the  pot,  or  hollow  part,  or  on  the  inside,  the 
vein  full  and  proud,  and  the  swelling  soft,  it  is  a  blood 
spavin  ;  you  cannot  therefore  take  too  much  care  in  ex- 
amining the  hocks  of  delicate  horses,  for  let  the  swelling 
appear  ever  so  small  upon  the  flat  of  the  lower  part  of 
the  hock,  within  side,  though  the  horse  may  not  limp, 
you  ought  to  be  apprehensive  that  in  time,  and  with  but 
little  labour,  the  spavin  will  increase  on  him. 

The  fat  spavin  comes  almost  in  the  same  place  as  the 
other,  but  is  larger. 

A  third  kind  is  the  ox  spavin,  and  this  is  thought  the 
worst  of  the  three.     If  the  swelling  be  hard,  it  is  a  bone 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIEK.  33 

spavin  ;  you  should  examine  a  horse  thoroughly,  there- 
fore, before  you  buy  him,  and,  in  particular,  see  if  all 
the  joints  of  his  legs  move  with  equal  freedom.  Most 
horses  that  have  the  bone  spavin  are  very  apt  to  start 
when  you  go  to  take  up  their  legs,  and  will  hardly  let 
you  touch  them  with  your  hand  ;  examine  them  well, 
therefore,  wiih  your  eye,  and  see  if  between  the  fetlock 
and  the  crown,  the  leg  descends  even  and  smooth  ;  for 
if  you  see  any  protuberance  between  the  flesh  and  the 
skin,  that  looks  like  a  sort  of  knot  or  kernel,  you  have 
found  the  defect. 

In  purchasing  a  horse,  much  regard  should  be  paid  to 
his  bringing  up  his  hind  parts  well,  for  a  spavined  horso 
never  makes  a  full  step  with  the  leg  that  is  aflfected. 


A  CURB. 

If  you  observe  the  swelling  to  be  exactly  before  the 
knuckle,  it  is  a  curb,  which  is  an  accident  that  may 
happen  in  different. manners;  such  as  a  strain  in  work- 
ing, slipping  his  foot  in  a  hole,  or  in  marshy  ground, 
&c.,  out  of^  which  he  pulls  it  with  pain,  and  by  that 
means  wrenches  his  hock,  without  dislocating  any  thing, 
and  yet,  without  speedy  care  he  may  be  lamed. 


A  RAT'S  TAIL. 

There  is  also  a  defect  which  is  more  common  in  the 

ind  than  the  fore  legs,  though  the  latter  are  not  quite 

xempt  from  it,  and  it  is  called   the  Rat's  Tail,  and  is 

thus  known.     When  you  see,  from  the  hind  part  of  the 

fetlock,  up  along  the  nerves,  a  kind  of  line  or  channel 

that  separates  the  hair  to  both  sides,  this  is  a  rat's  tail ; 


34  THE    NEW    POCKET   FARRIEB. 

and  in  summer  there  appears  a  kind  of  small  dry  scab 
along  this  channel ;  and  in  winter  there  issues  out  a  hu- 
midity, like  the  water  from  the  legs.  A  horse  may  work 
notwithstanding  this  disorder,  for  it  seldom  lames  him  , 
it  sometimes  occasions  a  stiffness  in  the  legs,  and  makes 
them  trot  like  foxes,  without  bending  their  joints.  The 
hind  legs  should  be  lean,  clean,  flat,  and  sinewy  ;  for  if 
fat,  they  will  not  bear  labour;  if  swelled,  the  grease  is 
molten  into  them  ;  if  scabbed  above  the  pasterns,  it  is 
the  scratches,  and  if  he  has  chaps  under  the  pasterns  he 
has  what  is  generally  called  the  Rains.  If  he  has  a 
good  buttock,  his  tail  cannot  stand  ill,  but  will  be  broad, 
high,  flat,  and  couched  a  little  inward. 


A  WALK  AND  TROT  IN  HAND. 

Having  with  care  examined  the  horse,  let  him  be  run 
in  hand  a  gentle  trot ;  by  this  you  will  soon  perceive  if 
he  is  lame  or  not.  Make  the  man  lead  him  by  the  end 
of  the  bridle,  as  in  this  case  you  cannot  be  deceived  by 
the  man's  being  too  near  him.  The  far  fore  leg,  and 
near  hind  leg,  or  the  near  fore  leg,  and  far  hind  leg, 
should  move  and  go  forward  at  one  and  the  same  time ; 
and  in  this  motion,  the  nearer  the  horse  takes  his  limbs 
from  the  ground,  the  opener,  the  evener,  and  the  shorter 
is  his  pace. 

FORGING 

If  he  takes  up  his  feet  slovenly,  it  shows  stumbling  or 
lameness ;  to  tread  narrow,  or  cross,  shows  interfering, 
or  failing  ;  to  step  uneven,  shows  weariness,  and  if  he 
treads  long,  you  may  be  apprehensive  he  forges,  by 
which  I  mean,  that  when  he  walks,  or  trots,  he  strikes 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  35 

the  toes  of  his  hind  feet  against  the  corners  of  his  shoes 
before,  which  occasions  a  clattering  noise  as  you  ride ; 
and  this  proceeds  generally  fronn  the  weakness  of  his 
fore  legs,  he  not  having  strength  in  them  to  raise  them 
up  sufficiently  quick  to  make  way  for  the  hind  ones.  A 
horse  of  this  kind  is  not  near  so  serviceable  as  the  horse 
exempt  from  it,  and  the  dealers,  to  get  rid  of  him,  will 
make  abundance  of  pretences  :  if  he  has  been  just 
shoed,  they  will  say  the  farrier  has  put  him  on  too  long 
shoes;  if  his  shoes  are  old,  they  will  tell  you  he  is  just 
come  off  a  long  journey,  and  is  much  fatigued  ;  you 
must  not  therefore  be  over  credulous  to  any  thing  a 
jockey  or  dealer  affirms,  for  what  they  say  in  this  man- 
ner, is  too  often  with  intent  to  deceive ;  and  it  is  very 
certain  that  a  horse  who  forges  can  never  be  sure-footed, 
any  more  than  one  who  has  tottering  or  bow-legs. 


WALK  AND  TROT  MOUNTED. 

On  his  being  mounted,  see  him  walk.  Observe  his 
mouth,  that  he  pulls  tair,  not  too  high,  nor  bearing 
down ;  then  stand  behind  him,  and  see  if  he  goes  nar- 
rower before  than  behind,  as  every  horse  that  goes  well 
on  his  legs  goes  in  that  manner.  Take  notice  that  he 
brushes  not  by  going  too  close ;  a  certain  sign  of  his 
cutting,  and  tiring  in  travelling.  Have  nothing  to  do 
with  that  horse  who  throws  his  legs  confusedly  about, 
and  crosses  them  before;  This  you  may  observe  by 
standing  exactly  before  or  behind  him,  as  he  is  going 
along.  In  his  trot  he  should  point  his  tore  legs  well, 
without  clambering,  nor  yet  as  if  he  were  afraid ;  and 
that  he  throws  well  in  his  hind  legs,  which  will  enable 
him  to  support  his  trot,  and  shoot  his  fore  parts  fore- 
wards. 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 


A  CANTER  OR  GALLOP. 

In  his  canter,  observe  he  does  not  fret,  but  goes  cool 
in  this  pace;  and  in  his  gallop,  he  should  take  his  feet 
nimbly  from  the  ground,  and  not  raise  them  too  high, 
but  that  he  stretches  out  his  fore  legs  and  follows  nimbly 
with  his  hind  ones,  and  that  he  cuts  not  under  his  knee, 
(which  is  called  the  swift  or  speedy  cut)  that  he  crosses 
not,  nor  claps  one  foot  on  another,''and  ever  leads  with 
his  far  fore  foot,  and  not  with  the  near  one.  If  he  gal- 
lops round,  and  raises  his  fore  feet,  he  may  be  said  to 
gallop  strongly,  but  not  swiftly  ;  and  if  he  labour  his 
feet  confusedly,  and  seems  to  gallop  painfully,  it  shows 
some  hidden  lameness ;  for  in  all  his  paces,  you  should 
particularly  observe  that  his  limbs  are  free,  without  the 
least  stiffness. 


TOTTERING  LEGS. 

Now  that  he  has  been  well  exercised  in  those  different 
paces,  it  is  your  time  to  examine  for  an  infirmity,  not 
easily  discovered,  and  that  is  what  we  call  Tottering  legs  ; 
you  cannot  perceive  it  till  after  a  horse  has  galloped  for 
some  time,  and  then,  by  letting  him  rest  a  little  you  will 
see  his  legs  tremble  under  him,  which  is  the  disorder  we 
nnean :  however  handsome  soever  the  legs  of  such  a 
horse  may  be,  he  never  can  stand  well  on  them ;  you 
are  therefore  not  to  mind  what  the  jockey  says  when  he 
talks  of  the  beauty  of  the  limbs,  for  if  you  oblige  him 
to  gallop  the  horse,  or  fatigue  him  pretty  much,  (which 
is  commonly  done  in  order  to  try  the  creature's  bottom) 
you  will  in  all  likelihood  discover  this  defect,  unless  you 
suffer  the  groom  to  gallop  him  to  the  stable  door  and 


THE    NEW   POCKET   FARRIER.  37 

put  him  up  in  a  moment,  which  he  will  certainly 
endeavour  to  do,  if  he  is  conscious  of  it,  while  the 
master  has  another  horse  ready  to  show  you,  in  order 
to  take  off  your  attention  from  what  he  is  afraid  you 
should  see. 

Thus  having  to  the  best  of  our  judgment,  gone 
through  every  requisite  observation  relative  to  the 
purchase  of  a  horse,  studiously  avoiding  its  being  drawn 
into  an  unnecessary  length,  yet  at  the  same  time  being 
as  careful  to  avoid  an  affected  brevity ;  the  gentlemen 
to  whom  many  of  our  observations  are  familiar,  will 
please  to  observe,  that  we  have  endeavoured,  as  much 
as  possible,  to  write  for  the  information  of  the  person 
entirely  unacquainted  with  the  qualifications  which  form 
a  complete  horse  ;  in  the  purchase  of  which,  the  person 
should  particularly  consider  the  end  for  which  he  buys, 
whether  for  running,  hunting,  travelling,  draught,  or 
burden;  and  it  is  therefore  almost  unnecessary  to 
remind  him,  that  the  biggest  and  strongest  are  fittest  for 
strong  occasions,  burdens,  draught  or  double  carriage, 
as  the  middle  size  is  for  hunting,  pleasure,  general  em- 
ployments, and  the  least  for  summer  hackney. 


g«a-»^.^^^<v^».« 


THE  AGE  OF  A  HORSE  BY  HIS  TEETH. 


Two  and  a  half  years  old. 


Rising  three  years. 


POCKET    FARRIER, 


TRY  BEFORE  YOU  BUY. 

If  you  meet  with  a  horse  you  like  and  are  desirous 
of  buying  him ;  do  not  fall  in  love  with  him  before  you 
ride  him,  for  though  he  may  be  handsome,  he  may  start 
or  stumble. 

TO  DISCOVER  A  STUMBLER. 

If  you  g-o  to  buy  of  one  that  knows  you,  it  is  not 
unreasonable  to  desire  to  ride  him  for  an  hour.  If 
refused,  you  may  expect  he  has  some  faults ;  if  not, 
mount  him  at  the  door  of  the  stable  where  he  stands  ; 
let  him  neither  feel  your  spurs,  nor  see  your  whip ;  mount 
him  easily,  and  when  seated,  go  gently  off  with  a  loose 
rein,  which  will  make  him  careless ;  and  if  he  is  a 
stumbler,  he  will  discover  himself  presently,  especially 
if  the  road  in  which  you  ride  him  be  any  way  rough. 

The  best  horse  indeed  may  stumble,  (a  young  one  of 
spirit,  if  not  properly  broken  in,  will  frequently  ;  and  yet, 
if  he  moves  nimbly  upon  the  bit,  dividing  his  legs  true, 
he  may  become  a  very  good  saddle  horse)  the  best  horse, 
I  say,  may  stumble,  but  if  he  springs  out,  when  he 
stumbles,  as  if  he  feared  your  whip  or  spur,  depend  upon 
it,  he  is  an  old  offender.  A  horse  should  never  be  struck 
for  stumbling  or  starting :  the  provocation,  I  confess,  is 
great ;  but  the  fear  of  corrrection  makes  him  worse. 

39 


40  THE    NEW    PO*  ^ET    FARRIER, 

In  the  purchase  of  a  horse,  examine  four  things,  his 
teeth,  his  eyes,  his  legs  and  his  wind. 


TO  KNOW  HIS  AGE. 

Every  treatise  on  farriery  has  instructed  us  to  know 
a  horse's  age,  by  the  mark  in  his  mouth ;  but  not  one 
in  five  hundred  (a  dealer  excepted)  can  retain  it  in  his 
mind.  Let  this  then  be  sufficient :  with  your  finger  and 
thumb,  raise  his  upper  lip,  and  if  his  teeth  shut  close, 
you  may  suppose  him  young ;  but  if  they  point  forward, 
and  the  upper  and  under  edges  do  not  meet  even,  you  may 
suspect  he  is  old.  And  the  longer  his  teeth  are,  (the 
gums  being  dry  and  shrunk  from  them,  looking  yellow 
and  rusty)  the  older  he  is. 

There  are  some  exceptions  to  the  above  rule,  but  by 
a  due  attention  you  will  seldom  be  deceived. 

You  may  indeed  examine  his  tush,  and  if  it  be  pointed 
and  grooved,  that  is,  hollovvish  on  the  inside,  he  cannot 
be  judged  to  be  above  seven  years  old.  Crafty  jockeys 
will  sometimes  burn  holes  in  the  teeth,  to  make  them 
appear  young,  which  they  call  bishoping,  but  a  discern- 
ing eye  will  soon  discover  the  cheat.  Mares  have  no 
tushes,  so  that  it  is  more  difficult  to  know  their  age,  but 
if  the  roof  of  the  mouth  be  fleshy,  and  almost  as  proud 
as  the  teeth,  she  is  young. 

EYES. 

If  a  horse's  eyes  are  lively  and  clear,  and  you  can 
see  to  the  bottom,  and  the  image  of  your  face  be 
reflected  from  thence,  and  not  from  the  surface  of  the 
eye,  they  are  good ;  but  if  muddy,  cloudy  or  coal  black, 
they  are  bad. 


THE   NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  41 


LEGS. 

If  his  knees  are  not  broken,  nor  stand  bending  and 
trembling  forward,  (which  is  called  knuckling)  his  legs 
may  be  good ;  but  if  he  steps  short  and  digs  his  toes  in 
the  ground,  it  is  a  sign  he  will  knuckle.  In  short,  if  the 
hoof  be  pretty  flat  and  not  curled,  you  need  not  fear  a 
founder. 

WIND. 

If  his  flanks  beat  even  and  slow,  his  wind  may  be 
good ;  but  if  they  heave  double  and  irregular,  or  if 
(while  he  stands  in  the  stable)  he  blows  at  the  nostrils, 
as  if  he  had  just  been  galloping,  they  are  signs  of  a 
broken  wind.  Deceitful  dealers  have  a  draught  which 
they  sometimes  give,  to  make  a  horse  breathe  regularly 
in  the  stable :  the  surest  way  to  judge  of  his  wind,  is  to 
give  him  a  good  brushing  gallop,  and  it  is  ten  to  one,  if 
his  wind  be  broken  or  even  touched,  that  he  will  cough 
and  wheeze  very  much,  and  no  medicine  can  prevent  his 
doing  so. 

REGIMEN  FOR  A  BROKEN  WIND. 

This  is  a  disease  in  every  respect  similar  to  the  asthma 
in  the  human  species.  The  symptoms  are  a  hollow 
cough,  which  is  increased  by  exercise,  and  attended  with 
a  wheezing,  or  difficulty  of  breathing,  and  a  working  of 
the  flanks.  This  disorder  is  commonly  brought  on  by 
voracious  feeding,  which  distends  the  stomach  inordi- 
nately;  by  violent  exercise  when  the  belly  is  full;  by 
being  driven  into  water  when  he  is  sweated  and  hot ; 

or  from  a  cold,  not  well  cured.    Horses  that  eat  their 
4  * 


42  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

litter,  and  what  other  hard  substances  they  come  near, 
are  predisposed  to  broken-wind,  by  the  great  distension 
of  the  stomach  and  inability  of  inspiring  a  sufficiency 
of  air  to  fill  the  lungs. 

Cure  there  is  none  for  broken-wind,  but  a  horse  that 
has  it  may  be  rendered  very  useful  by  proper  attention 
to  regimen.  Of  course,  particular  care  should  be  taken 
to  avoid  exposing  hinti  to  fresh  cold,  and  not  push  him 
too  hard  on  a  full  stomach.  The  horse  should  have 
good  nourishment,  but  condensed  in  bulk — not  quantity 
enough  to  distend  his  bowels,  but  rich  and  nutritious, 
what  there  is  of  it.  Water  should  be  given  him 
sparingly.  Give  him  rather  plentifully  of  corn,  but 
little  hay,  and  that  little  wet  with  water.'  Some  advise 
that  water  given  him  should  every  day  be  impregnated 
with  half  an  ounce  of  salt-petre  and  two  drachms  of 
sal-ammoniac. 

When  the  cough  is  particularly  troublesome,  or  the 
animal  seems  to  labour  much  in  respiration,  give  the 
followino;.  Dried  squills,  powdered,  1  drachm ;  gum 
ammoniacum,  3  drachms;  opium,  10  drachms;  with 
mucilage  sufficient  to  form  the  ball. 

Broken-winded  horses  have  been  greatly  relieved  by 
drinking  daily  a  bucket  of  water  poured  off  from  quick- 
lime. A  horse  supplied  with  water  thus  prepared,  and 
kept  in  the  stable  five  or  six  weeks,  will  recover  his  wind 
in  a  great  degree  and  his  cough  will  be  much  abated. 


A  DRAUGHT  HORSE.  ^ 

A  horse  with  thick  shoulders  and  a  broad  chest,  laden 
with  flesh,  hanging  too  forward,  and  heavily  projecting 
over  his  knees  and  feet,  is  fitter  for  a  collar  than  a 
saddle. 


THE   NEW    PQCKET   FARRIER.  43 


A  SADDLE  HORSE. 

A  horse  with  thin  shoulders,  and  a  flat  chest,  whose 
fore-feet  stand  holdly  forward  and  even,  his  neck  rising 
semicircular  from  the  points  of  those  thin  shoulders  to 
his  head,  may  justly  be  said  to  have  a  light  forehand 
and' be  fitter  for  a  saddle  than  a  collar.  As  most  horses 
in  the  hands  of  farmers  are  drawn  while  they  are 
young,  which,  notwithstanding  their  make,  occasions 
them  to  move  heavily,  if  you  desire  a  nimble-footed 
horse,  choose  one  that  has  never  drawn. 

In  buying  a  horse  enquire  into  four  other  things,  viz. 
biting,  kicking,  stopping,  and  starting. 


STARTING  AND  SHYING. 

Starting  is  when  a  horse  grows  wanton  or  skittish, 
and  takes  every  object  he  sees  to  be  different  from  what 
it  is.  It  is  one  of  the  worst  habits  a  horse  can  have, 
and  tends  to  reduce  his  value  much,  for  as  good  a  rider 
as  a  person  may  be,  he  cannot  be  on  his  guard  against 
a  starting  horse. 

If  you  would  ascertain  that  a  horse  starts,  mount  him 
yourself,  ride  first  slowly  and  then  fast  towards  and 
along  by  objects  that  you  discover  are  offensive  to  his 
eye,  and  you  will  soon  assure  yourself  whether  or  not 
he  has  this  bad  habit. 

Horses  that  have  been  kept  pampered  in  the  stable  for 
some  time,  without  regular  airings  or  exercise,  are  liable 
to  start  when  first  ridden  out,  but  are  in  general  easily 
cured. 

Some  horses  will  observe  particularly  all  objects  they 
meet,  and  sidle  a  little,  or  shy  from  it,  but  a  starting 


44  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

horse  that  all  at  once  leaps  from  one  side  to  the  other,  is 
neither  safe  nor  agreeable,  and  we  would  advise  the 
owner  of  such  an  animal,  if  he  has  any  consideration 
for  his  own  neck,  to  get  rid  of  him  as  soon  as  possible, 
for  whoever  undertakes  to  break  a  horse  of  this  trick 
endangers  his  life  to  an  imminent  desrree.. 

When  riding  a  horse  of  this  kind,  however,  in  all 
cases  treat  him  with  the  utmost  gentleness  ;  neither  beat 
him  nor  speak  harshly  to  him  during  his  fright,  but 
make  him  advance  gently  to  the  object — this  treatment 
will  in  time  (with  some  horses)  give  them  confidence 
and  free  them  from  their  foolish  fears. 


TO  CURE  THE  SPLINTS. 

The  splint  is  a  fixed  hard  excrescence  or  knob,  grow- 
ing  upon  the  flat  of  the  in  or  outside  (and  sometimes 
both)  of  the  shank  bone  ;  a  little  under,  and  not  far  from 
the  knee,  and  may  be  seen  and  felt. 

Splints  when  buried  within  the  tendons  are  apt  to 
lame  a  horse  seriously ;  but,  if  situated  on  the  plain 
bone,  unless  very  large,  they  seldom  do  injury ;  and  if 
a  splint  be  early  attended  to  it  is  not  very  difficult  to 
remove. 

Some  practitioners  rub  the  splint  with  a  round  stick 
till  the  part  is  almost  raw,  and  then  touch  it  with  oil  of 
origanum.  Others  lay  on  a  pitch  plaster,  with  a  small 
quantity  of  sublimate  or  arsenic,  to  corrode  and  eat  the 
substance  away.  Others  again  use  butter  of  antimony, 
or  oil  of  vitriol,  and  some  tincture  of  cantharides.  All 
of  which  methods  have  at  times  succeeded  ;  but  they  are 
most,  if  not  all,  apt  to  leave  an  ugly  scar  behind,  with 
the  loss  of  all  the  hair  on  the  part.  Blaine  recom- 
mends the  swelling  to  be  rubbed  night  and  morning  for 


THE   NEW   POCKET   PARRIEK.  45 

five  or  six  days,  with  a  drachm  of  mercurial  ointment, 
rubbing  it  well  in ;  after  which  apply  a  blister,  and  at 
the  end  of  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  another. 

THE  SPAVIN. 

The  Spavin  is  of  the  same  nature,  and  appears,  in 
like  manner,  on  the  instep  bone  behind,  not  iar  below 
the  hock. 

The  destruction  of  the  horse  has  often  occurred  by 
letting  out  the  contents  of  these  tumours.  This  must 
not  be,  but  the  sides  of  the  tumours  must  be  strengthened 
by  pressure  or  by  stimulants.  The  best  stimulant  is  the 
strong  liquid  blister  of  the  Veterinary  Pharmacy,  as — 
Spanish  flies,  in  gross  powder,  1  oz ;  oil  of  origanum, 
2  drachms  ;  oil  of  turpentine,  4  oz  ;  olive  oil,  2  oz  ; 
steep  the  flies  in  the  turpentine  three  weeks,  strain  off 
and  add  the  oil.  Bandages  assist  greatly,  when  well 
applied. 

WINDGALLS. 

'V/indgalls  are  several  httle  swellings  just  above  the 
fetlock-joints  of  all  the  four  legs ;  they  seem,  when  felt, 
to  be  full  of  wind  or  jelly,  but  they  never  lame  a  horse; 
the  splint  and  spavin  always  do.  They  all  three  pro- 
ceed from  one  and  the  same  cause,  which  is  hard  riding, 
travelling  too  f^r  in  one  day,  or  carrying  too  great  a 
weight  when  young. 

Blistering  is  the  general  remedy  applied  to  these.  In 
most  cases,  where  there  is  no  greater  inconvenience 
arising  from  them  than  what  is  visible  to  the  eye,  it  will 
be  better  to  let  them  alone,  as  there  have  been  many  in- 
stances of  horses  being  totally  lamed  and  rendered  until 
for  service  by  wounding  the  tendons  in  an  operation. 


46  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 


SETTING  OUT  OxN  A  JOURNEY. 

Having  premised  thus  much  of  the  qualities  necessary 
to  a  good  horse,  we  now  proceed  to  give  such  directions 
in  regard  to  a  journey  on  horseback  as  will  be  found  to 
be  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  traveller. 

Whenever  you  intend  to  travel,  hunt,  or  only  ride  out 
for  the  air,  let  your  horse's  feet  be  examined  some  time 
before,  to  see  that  his  shoes  are  all  fast  and  sit  easy  oa 
his  feet,  for  on  that  depends  the  pleasure  and  safety  of 
your  journey. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  MOUNTING. 

Before  you  mount,  look  round  your  horse,  to  see  if 
his  bridle,  curb,  saddle,  and  girths  are  all  fitted  in  their 
proper  places.  Always  accustom  your  horse  to  stand 
firm  and  without  a  motion,  till  you  are  fixed  in  your 
seat  and  your  clothes  be  adjusted. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  GOING.  ^  ^ 

When  you  would  have  him  go,  teach  him  to  move,  by 
pressing  close  your  knees,  or  speaking  to  him,  without 
using  whip  or  spur ;  for  a  horse  will  learn  any  thing, 
and  a  good  quality  may  as  easily  be  taught  him  as  a 
bad  one. 

CORRECTION  ILL-TIMED.— CORRECTION 
WELL-TIMED.— AN  EASY  REIN. 

Most  men  whip  and  spur  a  horse,  to  make  him  go 
faster,  before  they  bid  him ;  but  it  is  cruel  treatment,  to 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  47 

beat  a  generous  creature,  before  you  have  signified  your 
mind  to  him,  (by  some  token  which  he  may  be  taught 
to  understand)  who  would  obey  you  if  he  knew  your 
pleasure;  it  is  time  enough  to  correct  him  when  he  re- 
fuses, or  resists  you.  Do  not  haul  his  head  about  with 
too  tight  a  rein,  it  deadens  his  mouth  ;  besides,  he  will 
carry  you.  safer,  and  take  better  care  of  his  steps  with 
an  easy  hand,  than  a  heavy  one ;  much  depends  on  the 
quietness  of  the  bridle  hand.  Keep  in  your  elbows 
steady,  and  you  cannot  hurt  his  mouth.  Again,  nothing 
discovers  a  bad  horseman  (even  at  a  distance)  so  much 
as  throwing  his  legs  and  arms  about ;  for  it  is  easier  to 
the  horse  and  rider,  and  he  can  carry  you  further  by  ten 
miles  a  day,  when  you  sit  as  steady  upon  him  as  if  you 
were  a  part  of  himself. 

CUTTING. 

If  he  cuts  either  before  or  behind,  look  that  his  shoes 
stand  not  with  an  edge  beyond  the  hoof,  and  feel  that  the 
clinches  of  the  nails  lie  close ;  but  if  cutting  proceeds 
from  interfering,  that  is,  crossing  his  legs  in  his  trot,  it 
is  a  natural  infirmity  and  can  only  be  a  little  helped  by 
care.  Horses  will  sometimes  cut,  when  leg-weary, 
which  they  will  recover  of  by  rest.  If  you  would  not 
have  a  horse  that  cuts,  buy  not  one  who  stands  with  his 
toes  turned  outwards,  nor  one  who,  in  trotting,  carries 
his  legs  too  near  each  other. 

LAMENESS.— A  POULTICE. 

If  (as  he  stands  in  the  stable)  you  observe  him  to 
point  one  foot  forwarder  than  the  other,  either  before  oi 
behind,  seeming  to  bear  no  weight  on  it,  you  may  rea- 
sonably conclude  he  is  not  easy :  if  the  shoes  is  the 


48  THE    NEW    POCKET   FARRIER, 

cause,  the  farrier  can  remove  it  presently,  but  if  the  foot 
is  not  hurt  by  some  unknown  accident,  make  a  poultice 
of  any  sort  of  greens^  such  as  lettuce^  cabbage,  marsh- 
mallow  leaves,  turnip  tops,  or  turnips  themselves,  the 
best  of  all ;  boil  them  tender,  squeeze  the  water  out, 
chop  them  in  a  wooden  bowl,  with  two  or  three  ounces 
of  hog\s  lard  or  butter  ;  put  this  poultice  into  a  cloth, 
and  tie  hi*  foot  in  it  all  night,  as  hot  as  you  can. 

In  the  morning,  when  the  farrier  comes  to  take  off  his 
shoe,  he  will  find  his  hoof  cut  soft  and  easy,  so  that  he 
will  soon  discover  (in  paring  with  his  buttrice)  whether 
he  is  pricked  or  bruised. 

GRAVELLED. 

A  misfortune  that  sometimes  happens  to  a  horse  on  a 
journey  :  it  consists  in  little  pebbles  getting  between  the 
shoe  and  the  hoof  and  settling  there,  so  as  to  get  to  the 
quick  and  fester.  The  only  way  to  cure  it  is  to  takeoff 
the  shoe,  and  then  draw  the  place  with  a  drawing-iron 
till  you  come  to  the  quick;  this  done,  pick  out  the 
gravel  and  squeeze  out  the  matter  and  blood  that  is 
■found  collected  there.  Then  wash  the  parts  well  with 
simple  tincture  of  myrrh,  and  stop  up  the  hole  with 
hurds  wet  in  the  same.  After  which  let  the  shoe  be 
carefully  put  on  again,  and  in  two  or  three  times  thus 
dressing,  he  will  get  well.  But  do  not  travel,  or  work 
him,  before  he  is  so,  nor  let  his  foot  go  into  the  wet, 
which  would  greatly  retard  his  cure. 

PRICKED. 

A  horse's  foot  is  pricked  by  having  a  nail  driven  too 
far  into  it  at  the  time  of  shoeing,  so  as  to  reach  the 
quick,  or  press  the  vein,  and  cause  lameness.     When  a 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  49 

horse  is  pricked  in  the  foot,  whether  it  be  by  the  negli- 
gence of  the  farrier  in  driving  the  nails,  or  from  any 
other  accident,  they  should  be  drawn  out  immediately 
on  the  discovery  thereof;  otherwise  the  wound  will  fester 
and  break  out  into  an  open  sore.  It  is  easily  discerned 
that  a  horse  is  pricked  by  his  going  lame,  but  with  more 
certainty  by  trying  round  the  hoof  with  a  pair  of  pin- 
cers, for  when  you  come  to  the  aggrieved  place  he  will 
cringe  and  draw  away  his  foot.  The  shoe  should  at 
once  be  taken  off,  and  the  horse  turned  out  to  grass,  if 
possible,  without  applying  anything  external  to  it.  But 
if  turning  him  out  cannot  be  complied  with,  rub  fre- 
quently on  his  foot  a  little  ointment  of  elder. 

LAME  IN  THE  HEEL  OR  HOOF.— THE  CURE. 

If  your  horse  is  lame  with  a  hole  in  his  heel,  or  any 
part  of  his  hoof,  be  it  ever  so  deep,  occasioned  by  an 
over-reach  of  his  hind-foot,  or  a  tread  of  another  horse, 
though  gravel  be  in  it,  put  his  foot  into  the  aforesaid 
poultice,  [Seepage  53.]  and  repeat  it  mornings  and  even- 
ings, till  it  is  well ;  for  it  will  suck  it  out,  fill  it  again  with 
sound  flesh,  and  make  the  hoof  grow  over  it,  much 
sooner  than  any  othei"  method  or  medicine  whatsoever. 

CUTS,  TREADS,  AND  BRUISES  CURED. 

All  cuts,  treads  anH  bruises  are  cured  by  this  poultice  ; 
not  only  quick  and  sure,  but  without  leaving  any  mark. 

THE  HORSE-OINTMENT. 

Into  a  clean  jripkin^  that  holds  about  a  quart,  put  the 
bigness  of  a  pullet'' s  egg  of  yellow  rosin  ;  when  it  is 
melted  over  a  middling  fire,  add  the  same  quantity  of 


50  THE    NEW    POCKET     FARRIER. 

bees*  wax  ;  when  that  is  melted,  put  in  half  a  pound 
of  hog^s  lard  ;  when  it  is  dissolved,  put  in  two  ounces 
of  honey  ;  when  that  is  dissolved,  put  in  half  a  pound 
of  common  turpentine  ;  keep  it  gently  boiling,  stirring 
it  with  a  stick  all  the  time  ;  xKhen  the  turpentine  is  dis- 
solved, put  in  two  ounces  of  verdigris  ;  you  must  take 
off  the  pipkin,  (^else  it  will  rise  into  the  fire  in  a  mo- 
ment) set  it  on  again,  and  give  it  two  or  three  wambles 
and  strain  it  through  a  coarse  sieve,  into  a  clean  vessel 
for  use,  and  throw  the  dregs  away. 

This  is  an  extraordinary  ointment  for  a  wound  or 
bruise  in  flesh  or  hoof,  broken  knees,  galled  backs, 
bites,  cracked  heels,  mallanders,  or  when  you  geld  a 
horse,  to  heal  and  keep  the  flies  away  ;  nothing  takes 
fire  out  of  a  burn  or  scald  in  human  flesh  so  soon  ;  I 
have  had  personal  experience  of  it.  I  had  it  out  of 
Degrey,  but  finding  it  apt  to  heal  a  wound  at  the  top, 
before  the  bottom  was  found,  I  improved  it,  by  adding  an 
ounce  of  verdigris. 

HEAT-BALLS. 

U,  upon  a  journey,  any  little  bumps  called  -heat-balls 
should  rise  on  your  horse's  shoulders  or  any  part  of 
him  ;  upon  coming  to  your  inn,  order  the  hostler  to  rub 
them  often  with  hot  vinegar,  which  will  disperse  them. 
They  are  owing  to  the  heat  of  the  body  in  hard  riding. 
If  they  are  not  dispersed,  they  will  burst  and  look  ugly, 
and  it  will  be  some  time  before  the  hair  comes  on  upon 
the  part  again. 

SWELLED  AND  CRACKED  HEELS.— CURE. 

If  his  legs  and  heels  should  swell  and  crack  and  be- 
come stiff  and  sore,  so  that  he  can  hardly  be  got  out  of 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  51 

the  stable  in  the  morning,  and  perhaps  did  not  lie  down 
all  night ;  you  may  travel  on,  but  wali^  him  for  the  first 
mile  or  two,  very  gently,  till  the  swelling  falls,  and  he 
begins  to  feel  his  legs. 

When  you  end  the  day's  journey,  wash  his  sore  legs 
with  warm  water,  and  a  great  deal  of  soap ;  or  foment 
his  heels,  (first  cutting  away  the  hair  very  close)  with 
old  urine,  pretty  warm,  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  by 
dipping  a  woolen  cloth,  or  an  old  stocking,  into  the  urine, 
squeezing  it,  and  then  applying  it  to  the  part  affected, 
having  first  well  washed  it  with  the  urine.  You  may 
then  prepare  the  poultice,  as  in  page  53,  and  tie  it  on 
hot,  as  soon  as  it  can  be  got  ready,  letting  it  stay  on  all 
night.  Feed  him  as  usual,  and  offer  him  warm  water 
in  the  house.  About  nine  or  ten  o'clock  (that  is,  an 
hour  or  two  after  he  is  put  up  for  all  night,  and  fed)  give 
him  a  ball  composed  of  half  an  ounce  of  ethiops  min- 
eral. Ditto  of  balsam  of  svlphur  terih.  Ditto  of 
diopente  or  powdered  aniseeds  mixed  and  made  into 
a  hall  ivith  honey  or  treacle.  You  may  give  him  a 
pint  of  warm  ale  after  it.    ' 

Do  not  stir  him  out  of  the  stable  on  any  account 
whatever,  till  you  mount  him  the  next  morning  for  your 
journey,  and  give  him  a  draught  of  warm  water  in  the 
stable  before  you  set  out  (that  being  proper  on  account 
of  the  ball.)  When  you  are  on  the  road,  he  may  drink 
water  as  usual. 

The  next  night  omit  the  ball,  but  contixiue  the  poul- 
tice. 

The  third  night  give  the  second  ball. 

GREASING  HEELS. 

The  fifth  night  give  the  third  ball,  and  still  continue 
the  poultice  till  his  heels  are  well:  but  if  you  can  get 


52  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

no  sort  of  poulticing,  then,  melt  hog's  lard,  or  butter, 
and  with  a  rabbit's  foot  or  a  rag,  grease  his  heels  with  it 
very  hot. 

if  he  is  a  young  horse,  and  the  distemper  new,  you 
will  hear  no  more  of  it ;  but  if  he  is  old,  and  hath  had 
it  a  long  time  on  him,  it  will  require  further  repetition. 

N.  B.  During  this  operation,  you  must  not  gallop 
on  the  road,  but  ride  moderately,  for  sweating  will  re- 
lard  the  cure.  You  must  consider,  that  wet  weather, 
and  wet  roads  are  by  no  means  proper  for  this  regimen. 

TraveUing  indeed  is  an  improper  time  for  this  cure, 
except  in  cases  of  necessity  ;  if  you  can  give  your 
horse  rest,  his  heels  will  get  well  sooner  by  turning  him 
out  to  grass,  and  renewing  the  poultices ;  but  he  should 
be  kept  in  the  stable  while  he  takes  the  medicine. 

If  the  greasy  poultice  does  not  effect  a  cure,  which 
may  sometimes  be  the  case  ;  after  fomenting  the  legs  with 
urine,  anoint  his  heels  well  with  the  following  ointment 
warm  every  night.  Take  ten  eggs,  boil  them  very  hard, 
put  them  in  cold  water  ;  when  cold,  separate  the  yolks 
from  the  whites,  put  all  the  yolks  into  a  frying  pan, 
bruise  them  with  a  spoon  over  the  fire,  till  they  turn 
black  and  yield  a  fetid  oil,  lohich  decant  off,  and  mix 
it,  while  warm,  with  two  ounces  of  honey,  and  two 
ounces  of  white  lead  in  powder,  and  then  keep  it  for 
use.  It  should  be  beaten  into  a  horse's  hoof,  with  a 
fire  shovel.  The  heels  in  the  day  time  should  be  con- 
stantly well  rubbed. — This  ointment  exceeds  any  thing 
that  can  be  applied  for  a  burn  or  scald  in  the  human 
body,  if  applied  soon  after  the  accident,  and  the  part 
affected  be  anointed  for  an  hour  after,  by  times,  with  a 
feather. 

I  have  often  cured  a  horse  of  greasy  heels  by  giving 
him  only  an  ounce  and  a  half  of  saltpetre  pounded  fine, 
or  dissolved  and  mixed  with  his  corn,  morning  and  even- 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  53 

ing.  But  this  must  be  continued  for  a  month  or  more, 
till  his  legs  are  well ;  but  they  should  be  kept  washed 
as  above.  If  you  give  a  horse  five  or  six  pounds  of 
saltpetre,  in  this  manner,  it  will  not  hurt  him,  it  will 
free  hinn  from  all  sorts  of  humours,  and  put  him  into 
excellent  spirits. 

MALLENDER,  AND   CURE. 

The  mallender  is  a  crack  in  the  bend  of  the  knee,  it 
oozes  a  sharp  humour  like  that  at  the  heels  or  frush  ;  a 
horse  dare  not  step  out  for  fear  of  tearing  it  wider ;  it 
is  so  painful  it  takes  away  his  belly  ;  it  makes  him  step 
short,  and  stumble  much. 

The  same  method,  medicine,  greasing  and  poulticing, 
which  you  used  for  swelled  or  cracked  heels,  will  cure  it. 

SELLENDER,   AND   CURE. 

The  sellender  is  a  crack  in  the  bend  of  the  hock ; 
and  must  be  cured  with  the  same  things,  and  after  the 
same  manner. 

SORE  BACK,   AND   CURE. 

If  the  saddle  bruises  his  back,  and  makes  it  swell,  a 
greasy  dish-clout  laid  on  hot,  and  a  cloth  or  rag  over 
it,  bound  on,  a  quarter  of  an  hour  (with  a  surcingle)  and 
repeated  once  or  twice,  will  sink  it  flat.  If  it  is  slight, 
wash  it  with  a  little  water  and  salt  only :  but  you  must 
have  the  saddle  altered,  that  it  press  not  upon  the  tender 
part,  for  a  second  bruise  will  be  worse  than  the  first. 
If  his  furniture  does  not  fit  and  sit  easy,  it  will  damp 
him ;  but  if  nothing  wound  or  hurt  him,  he  will  travel 
with  courage. 

5* 


54  THE    NEW    POCKET   FARRIER. 


ADVICE  FOR   WATERING. 

Make  it  a  standing  rule  to  water  on  the  way  before 
you  arrive  at  the  baiting  place,  be  it  noon  or  night;  if 
there  is  no  water  by  the  way,  do  not  (when  once  you 
have  entered  the  stable)  suffer  any  man  to  lead  him  out 
to  a  river  or  horse-pond,  to  wash  his  legs  or  drink,  but 
give  him  warm  water  in  the  house. 

If  you  ride  moderately,  you  ought  to  let  your  horse 
drink  at  any  time  on  the  way  ;  you  may  trust  him,  he 
will  not  take  harm,  but  always  refresh  himself;  but  if 
he  has  been  long  without  water,  and  is  hot,  he  will  then 
overdrink  himself,  and  it  may  spoil  him,  because  a  load 
of  cold  water  greedily  swallowed  while  he  is  hot,  will 
certainly  chill  and  deaden  the  tone  of  the  stomach  ;  but 
two  or  three  go-downs  are  really  necessary  to  cool  his 
mouth,  and  may  be  allowed  him  at  any  time  on  the 
road. 

DIFFICULTY  OF   STALING. 

Sometimes  a  horse  cannot  stale,  and  will  be  in  great 
pain  ;  to  ease  him,  take  half  an  ounce  of  aniseeds 
beaten  fine  in  a  mortar^  one  handful  of  parsley  roots, 
boil  these  in  a  quart  of  old  strong  beer,  and  strain  it 
off,  and  give  it  him  warm. 

Staling  (a  suppression  thereof)  may  be  brought  on  a 
horse  by  being  kept  high  and  having  too  little  exercise, 
as  well  as  by  hard  travelling.  The  signs  of  this  com- 
plaint are  as  follows, — the  creature  will  roll  and  tumble 
about  with  the  violence  of  the  pain  under  which  he 
labours,  and  while  on  his  legs  will  continually  be  strain- 
ing and  putting  himself  in  a  position  to  stale,  but  with- 
out being  able  to  do  anything  more  than  void  a  few 
drops,  or  perhaps  none  at  all. 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  55 


DIABETES. 

A  morbid  copiousness  of  urine,  or  making  water  in  too 
great  quantities,  which  disorder  is  very  common  in  horses, 
and  frequently  terminates  in  their  death.  It  is  generally 
the  result  of  old  disorders,  such  as  surfeits  and  excessive 
hard  driving.  The  horse  soon  loses  flesh  and  appetite, 
his  hair  grows  rough  and  staring.  A  horse  thus  affected 
should  not  be  allowed  too  much  water.  If  the  following 
remedy  is  applied  when  the  disease  first  makes  its 
appearance,  by  proper  attention  the  cure  will  be  almost 
certain.  One  drachm  of  opium,  two  drachms  of 
asafcetida,  two  drachms  powdered  ginger,  one  ounce 
powdered  red  oak  bark,  with  enough  of  any  kind  of 
syrup  to  make  two  balls  for  one  dose,  which  must  be 
given  to  him  three  times  a  week,  and  especial  care  taken 
not  to  let  him  drink  much  water. 

Some  persons  use  the  following  receipt :  one  ounce 
gum  arabic,  one  pint  of  red  wine,  and  a  pint  of  v^ter, 
mixed  and  given  as  a  drench  three  times  a  week. 

Moderate  exercise  and  nourishing  food  will  assist 
much  in  effecting  the  cure. 


SURFEIT  AND  MANGE. 

The  surfeit  is  common  among  horses  that  have  not 
been  judiciously  treated.  Sudden  changes  from  warmth 
to  cold  frequently  cause  it.  Over-feeding  also  pruauces 
it.  When  a  horse  is  surfeited,  his  coat  will  staie  and 
look  rueful,  notwithstanding  all  proper  care  has  been 
taken  to  keep  him  clean,  and  the  skin  will  be  found  full 
of  scales  and  scurf,  lying  thick  like  meal  among  the 
hair,  and  constantly  supplied  with  a  fresh  succession  oa 


fl6  THE    NEW   rOCKET    FARRIER. 

that  being  cleared  away ;  the  horse  is  disturbed  by  a 
constant  itching;  the  hair  of  both  the  mane  and  tail 
rubs  off,  and  the  Httle  that  remains  stands  erect. 

Svrfeit,  when  it  first  appears  is  easily  removed  by  a 
cooling  purgative;  but  if  the  pulse  be  high  he  should 
be  bled  also.  Promote  perspiration  by  means  of  a  dia- 
phoretic. If  the  animal  be  fat  he  must  be  reduced. 
Give  a  mash  of  one  gallon  of  bran,  a  table  spoonful 
of  saltpetre,  a  table  spoonful  of  sulphur,  and  a  quart 
of  hot  sassafras  tea,  well  mixed  together,  three  times 
within  a  week.  When  the  mash  is  taken,  be  careful  not 
to  let  him  drink  for  six  hours.  Change  his  litter  fre- 
quently, keep  his  stable  clean,  and  do  not  permit  him  to 
get  wet.  An  ointment  of  hog's  lard  and  sulphur  applied 
once  a  day  on  the  places  where  the  surfeit  appears 
worst,  will  be  found  to  be  of  great  benefit.  Remember 
that  his  food  during  this  treatment  must  be  light  and 
easily  digested,  and  fail  not  to  observe  towards  him  the 
kindest  treatment. 

The  Mange  sometimes  succeeds  an  ill-cured  surfeit ; 
and  is  moreover  an  original  disease,  arising  from  beast- 
liness, hard  living,  ill-usage,  and  the  consequent  depra- 
vation of  the  humours.  It  partakes  of  the  nature  of 
itch  in  man,  is  communicable  by  means  of  the  touch,  by 
using  the  same  harness,  clothing,  &c.,  and  probably  by 
standing  in  the  same  stall  that  a  diseased  horse  may 
have  left.  The  horse,  as  he  is  with  the  surfeit,  is  con- 
stantly rubbing  and  biting  himself. 

There  are  at  present  a  variety  of  prescriptions  in  use. 
The  following  is  effectual.  Bleed  copiously,  and  during 
a  week  give  him  three  mashes  like  that  for  the  surfeit ; 
and  rub  the  part  aflTected  twice  a  day  with  an  ointment 
of  hog's  lard  and  brimstone  in  equal  parts.  Keep  his 
stable  scrupulously  clean  and  furnished  with  a  nice  bed 
of  straw. 


THE   NEW    POCKET   FARRIER.  57 


HARD  RIDING. 

If  you  ride  hard,  and  go  in  hot,  your  horse  will  be 
off  his  stonnach  ;  then  is  your  time  to  guard  against  a 
surfeit,  which  is  always  attended  with  the  grease,  the 
farcy,  or  both;  the  symptons  are  staring  ojf  the  coat, 
and  hide-bound. 

Staring  of  the  coat  will  appear  the  very  next  morning. 
To  prevent  which,  as  soon  as  you  dismount  rub  him 
well,  cover  him,  pick  his  feet,  throw  a  handful  or  two  of 
beans  before  him,  and  litter  him  deep.  Go  immediately 
and  boil,  for  a  cordial,  half  a  pound  of  aniseeds  in  a 
quart  of  ale,  pour  it  upon  half  a  pound  of  honey,  into 
a  bowl  or  bason  ;  brew  it  about,  till  it  is  almost  as  cold 
as  blood,  then  give  it  (with  a  horn)  seeds  and  all. 

To  cure  him,  feed  as  usual,  but  keep  him  warmly 
clothed  ;  give  him  warm  water  that  night,  and  next 
morning.  A  mash  will  do  well  that  night,  and  lest  the 
cordial  should  not  have  force  enough  to  carry  off  the 
surfeit,  you  must  give  him  (after  all,  and  just  before  bed 
time)  one  of  those  balls  directed  in  page  51. 

To  prevent  stiffness :  supple  and  wash  his  legs  with 
greasy  dish-wash,  or  water  and  soap,  as  hot  as  a  man 
can  bear  his  hand  in  it,  with  a  dish-clout,  and  by  no 
means  take  him  out  of  the  stable  that  night.  Grease 
Jiis  hoofs,  and  stop  his  feet  with  the  following  ball  ;  it  is 
safe  and  innocent :  two  or  three  handfuls  of  bran  put 
into  a  little  saucepan  with  as  much  grease  of  any  kind 
as  will  moisten  it.  Let  it  cool,  and  put  a  ball  of  it 
into  each  fore  foot. 

Cover  each  ball  with  a  little  tow  or  straw,  and  put  a 
couple  of  splints  over  that,  to  keep  it  in  all  night.  This 
do  every  night  if  you  please  throughout  your  journey,  it 
IS  good  at  any  time  if  he  lie  still ;  but  these  balls  are 


58  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

not  necessary  in  the  winter,  or  when  the  roads  are  full 
of  water. 

Ever  avoid  all  stuffings  made  of  cow-dung,  clay  and 
urine,  which  you  will  find  ready  mixed  in  a  tub,  in  the 
custody  of  almost  every  hostler;  such  cold  stuffings 
benumb  the  feet  to  that  degree,  that  the  horse  fumbles 
and  steps  short  for  two  or  three  miles,  till  he  gets  a  little 
warmth  and  feels  his  feet  again. 


HIDE-BOUND. 

A  horse  is  said  to  be  hide-bound  when  the  skin  sticKs 
so  closely  to  the  back  and  ribs  that  it  cannot  be  laid  hold 
of,  or  raised  by  the  hand  without  great  difficulty. 

The  treatment  in  this  case  should  be  plenty  of  light 
food  and  a  stable  kept  perfectly  clean,  with  strict  atten- 
tion to  keeping  him  supplied  with  a  fresh  litter.  Bleed 
him,  take  from  his  neck  half  a  gallon ;  and  at  night 
give  him  a  mash  made  the  same  as  that  given  for, the 
surfeit  and  mange. 

On  the  second  day,  take  two  spoonfuls  of  copperas  ; 
one  quart  of  warm  sassafras  tea  ;  and  one  tea  spoon- 
ful of  saltpetre  ;  mix  and  give  them  as  a  drench.  Have 
the  horse  rubbed  well,  and  he  will  be  entirely  relieved  in 
a  few  days. 

THE  SHOULDER-SLIP. 

The  shoulder  wrench  or  slip  may  happen  to  a  horse 
in  various  ways,  as  by  stopping  and  turning  too  suddenly 
upon  unlevel  ground,  or  by  sliding  or  slipping  down, 
either  in  the  stable  or  the  field,  or  by  running  suddenly 
through  a  door  or  gate,  &c.  If,  while  on  the  road,  you 
wrench  his  shoulder,  mix  two  ounces  of  the  oil  of  spike 


THE  NEW  POCKET  FARRIER.  59 

with  one  ounce  of  the  oil  of  stvallows^  and  half  an  ounce 
of  turpentine,  and,  with  your  hands,  rub  a  little  of  it 
all  over  the  shoulder.  It  will  be  best  to  warm  the  oils 
well  with  a  broad-mouthed  fire  shovel,  or  plate  of  iron, 
hot.  Then  bleed  him,  and  let  him  rest  two  days. 
This  will  cure  a  slight  strain.  Should  he  continue  lame, 
you  may  travel  on,  but  slowly,  and  he  will  grow  well 
upon  the  road  ;  but  repeat  the  oils. 


STIFLE.— THE  CURE. 

If  you  strain  your  horse  in  the  stifle,  a  little  bone 
upon  the  thigh  bone,  above  the  inside  bend  of  the  hock ; 
(you  find  such  another  in  a  leg  of  mutton)  the  turnip 
poultice  will  infallibly  cure  it,  but  you  may  rub  in  the 
oils  first,  as  ordered  for  the  shoulder-sHp.  By  its  situa- 
tion, you  will  find  a  difficulty  to  keep  the  poultice  on,  yet 
it  may  be  done  with  a  few  yards  of  list. 

If  it  is  not  well,  or  very  much  mended,  in  two  or 
three  days,  examine  the  hip,  perhaps  you  may  find  it 
there  ;  but  this  may  be  cured  by  oiling,  as  in  a  shoulder- 
slip,  for  the  poultice  cannot  be  fastened  on  there. 


A  CLAP  IN  THE  BACK  SINEWS.. 

When  lameness  arises  from  a  clap  in  the  back  sinews, 
■which  is  a  relaxation  of  the  sinews  from  a  strain,  take  a 
spoonful  or  two  of  hog's  lard,  or  rather  goose-grease, 
melt  it  in  a  saucepan,  and  rub  it  into  the  back  sinew 
very  hot,  from  the  bend  of  the  knee  to  the  fetlock ; 
make  (as  you  are  directed  in  page  53)  a  turnip  poultice 
and  tie  it  on  hot,  from  the  fetlock  to  above  the  knee, 
and  let  it  stay  on  all  night ;  thus,  first  tie  the  cloth 


60  THE  NEW  POCKET  FARRIER. 

about  the  fetlock,  then  put  in  the  pouUice,  and  raise  the 
cloth  and  the  poultice  together,  till  you  get  it  above  the 
bend  of  the  knee  ;  twisting  the  list  or  string  round  his  leg 
as  you  rise,  and  fasten  it  above  the  knee  ;  take  it  off  in  the 
morning,  and  put  on  a  fresh  one  ;  at  night  do  the  same. 
Two  or  three  of  these  poultices  will  cure  a  new  strain ; 
five  or  six,  an  old  one. 

HOW  TO  KNOW  A  SHOULDER-SLTP,  FROM  A 
STRAIN  IN  THE  BACK  SINEWS. 

This  lameness,  by  ignorant  farriers,  is  frequently 
taken  for  a  shoulder-slip ;  and  in  consequence  of  this, 
they  proceed  to  blowing,  boring,  and  rowelling,  and  thus 
make  your  horse  useless  for  a  long  time.  Be  not  im- 
posed on  ;  be  sure  it  is  in  his  shoulder,  before  you  admit 
the  operation. 

If  it  is  in  his  shoulder,  he  will  drag  his  toe  on  the 
ground,  as  he  walks. 

If  in  the  back  sinew,  he  will  lift  it  off  and  step  short, 
though  downright  lame. 

There  does  not  happen  above  one  shoulder-slip,  to 
fifty  back-sinew  strains. 

A  COLD— A  RUNNING   OF  THE  EYES    AND 
NOSTRILS. 

You  may  know  if  your  horse  has  caught  cold  by  a 
running  at  his  eyes,  and  a  little  gleeting  at  his  nostrils  ; 
though  it  is  impossible  to  know  exactly  how  he  came 
by  it ;  (for  standing  near  a  hole,  a  window  or  door,  a 
damp  new-built  stable,  and  many  other  ways  may  do  it) 
yet  I  would  warn  you  against  one  practice  in  particular, 
too  much  in  use,  which  seldom  fails  to  give  a  horse  cold. 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FAERIER.  61 

That  is,  taking  him  out  of  a  warm  stable,  and  riding 
him  into  a  river  or  horse-pond,  at  an  unseasonable  hour, 
either  too  late  or  too  early.  A  horse  should  never  be 
taken  out  of  a  warm  stable  on  a  journey,  till  you  mount 
him  for  travel. 

A  CAUTION  TO  PREVENT  FOUNDEPwING  ON 
THE  ROAD.       . 

It  is  the  opinion  of  most  grooms,  that  a  horse  heats 
his  legs  and  feet  upon  a  hard  road,  especially  if  he  is  a 
heavy  horse,  or  carries  a  great  weight,  and  that  he 
should  be  refreshed  and  cooled  by  washing.  To  which 
I  agree ;  but  then  it  must  be  with  warm  water,  for  that 
cools  best.  This  will  not  only  open  the  pores,  and 
make  his  legs  perspire,  but  it  will  clear  his  fetlock  joints 
best  of  any  gravel  that  may  get  in  within  the  wrinkles,  and 
thus  fret  and  inflame  his  legs  ;  cold  water  naturally  con- 
tracts the  skin,  and  binds  any  gravel,  there  may  chance 
to  be,  the  firmer.  Stop  his  feet  also  with  the  ball  directed 
in  page  57,  but  make  it  pretty  warm. 

Note — A  horse  in  this  case  ought  to  have  a  large 
stall,  that  he  may  stretch  his  legs.  Young  horses  re- 
quire  larger  stalls  than  old  ones ;  for  an  accustomed 
old  horse  will  ease  himself  in  a  stall  of  five  feet  wide, 
as  well  as  in  one  of  two  yards. 

A  COUGH.— THE  CURE. 

If  (after  a  day  or  two)  you  perceive  a  running  at  his 
eyes,  and  a  little  gleeting  at  his  nostrils,  you  may  expect 
to  hear  him  cough.  In  that  case,  take  a  pint  of  blood 
from  his  neck,  in  a  morning,  (a  horse  will  travel  not- 
withstanding, if  you  do  not  exceed  it)  and  at  noon  give 
an  additional  feed,  to  make  amends  for  the  loss  of  blood. 
6 


62  THE    NEW   POCKET   FARRIEB. 

At  night  give  him  a  mash,  over  and  above  his  usual 
allowance.  The  next  night  give  him  the  aniseed  cor- 
dial as  before. 

If  his  cough  continues  three  days,  you  must  take 
another  pint  of  blood  from  his  neck,  and  try  to  remove 
it  with  abler  medicines.  Therefore,  to  keep  it  off  his 
lungs,  give  him,  just  before  you  go  to  bed, — Liquorice 
poivder^  an  ounce.  Sweet  oil,  a  spoonful.  JBthiops 
mineral,  an  ounce.  Balsam  of  sulphur,  half  an  ounce. 
Made  into  a  ball  with  a  little  honey. 

Clothe  and  keep  him  warm.  Repeat  the  ball  next 
night,  which  will  be  sufficient  to  cure  any  new-gotten 
cold  or  surfeit. 


KNOTTED  BETWEEN  THE  JAWS.— CURE. 

Feel  between  his  jaws,  and  if  his  kernels  are  swelled, 
do  not  let  the  farrier  cut  them  out  with  a  pair  of  red-hot 
scissors  (as  some  of  them  do)  but  dissolve  them  with 
two  or  three  or  more  turnip  poultices,  and  continue  the 
aniseed  cordial  till  he  is  well. 

If  the  almonds  of  a  man's  ears  were  down ;  that  is, 
if  the  glands  were  swelled,  and  a  surgeon  proposed  to 
cut  them  out  for  a  cure,  you  would  treat  him  with  great 
contempt  for  his  ignorance.  It  is  the  same  with  respect 
to  a  horse. 

Note. — The  horse's  throat  ought  to  be  kept  warm 
with  cloths,  till  the  swelling  is  either  dissolved  or  come 
to  a  head  ;  if  the  latter,  any  common  farrier  may  open 
the  tumour  with  a  sharp  pen-knife,  and  when  the  matter 
has  free  discharge,  the  wound  will  easily  heal,  by  the 
use  of  the  horse  ointment  applied  warm. 

I  will  next  mention  the  eyes,  for  it  is  as  bad.  for  a 
horse  to  be  blind  as  to  be  lame. 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  63 

A  COLD  IN  THE  EYES.— ITS  TREATxMENT.— 
A  CAUTION  IN  BLEEDING. 

When  a  horse  has  got  cold,  it  sometimes  falls  into  his 
eyes,  which  you  may  know  by  the  symptoms  before- 
mentioned  in  paffe  60  ;  (a  running  or  a  thick  glare  upon 
them)  put  your  hand  to  his  nostrils,  and  if  you  find  his 
breath  hotter  than  usual,  it  will  then  be  necessary  to 
take  a  little  blood  from  his  neck. 

It  is  a  common  thing  with  some  farriers  to  take  two, 
three,  and  sometimes  four  quarts  of  blood  away  at  one 
time.  I  am  very  much  against  that  practice  ;  because 
you  rob  a  horse  of  more  animal  spirits  than  you  can 
restore  in  a  long  time,  without  much  rest  and  high-feed- 
ing; the  latter  of  which  is  diametrically  opposite  to  the 
cure. 

Therefore,  a_  pint  or  quart  at  most  (unless  it  is  very 
thick  and  very  hot)  will  be  sufficient ;  it  is  safer  to  take 
a  gallon  at  five  or  six  bleedings,  than  two  quarts  at 
once,  for  the  reason  above.  Let  me  advise  you  also  to 
take  it  by  measure,  I  mean  in  a  pint  or  quart  pot ;  for 
when  you  bleed  at  random  upon  the  ground,  you  never 
can  know  what  quantity  you  take,  nor  what  quality  his 
blood  is  of.  From  such  violent  methods  used  with  igno- 
rance, proceed  the  death  of  half  the  horses  in  the  nation. 

What  proof  must  a  farrier,  a  groom  'or  a  coachman 
give  of  his  skill,  to  administer  to  a  horse  a  comfortable 
drink  (as  they  call  it)  composed  of  diapente,  long  pep- 
per, grains  of  paradise,  and  the  rest  of  the  hot  ingre- 
dients, at  a  time  when  his  blood  is  boiling  in  his  veins  ? 
It  is  like  giving  a  man  burnt  brandy  in  a  fever.  I  say, 
by  knowing  the  true  state  of  your  horse's  blood,  you 
can  better  judge  what  medicines  are  most  proper  to  give 
him. 


64  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

Therefore,  a  pint  of  blood,  for  the  first  time,  is  enough, 
and  you  may  repeat  that,  as  you  see  occasion  ;  but  you 
cannot  easily  restore  (as  I  said)  the  blood  and  spirits 
you  have  been  too  lavish  of. 

A  POULTICE  FOR  THE   EYES. 

After  you  have  taken  a  pint  of  blood,  get  a  quartern 
loaf,  hot  out  of  the  oven,  cut  away  the  crust,  and  put 
the  soft  inside  into  a  linen  hag  large  enough  to  cover 
his  forehead  and  temples  ;  press  it  fat,  and  bind  it  on 
by  way  of  poultice,  as  hot  as  may  be,  without  scald- 
ing  ;  at  the  same  time,  fasten  something  of  a  cloth 
about  his  neck  to  keep  his  throat  warm.  Let  the  poul- 
tice stay  on  till  it  is  almost  cold,  and  repeat  it  once  or 
twice ;  then  prepare  the  following  eye- water. 

EYE-WATER. 

Into  half  a  pint  of  rose  or  spring  water,  put  one 
drachm  of  tutty,  finely  prepared,  one  drachm  of  white 
sugar-candy  poivdered,  and  half  a  drachm  of  sugar  of 
lead.  With  a  feather  put  a  drop  into  each  eye,  morn- 
ings and  evenings. 

The  next  day  (if  needful)  repeat  the  poultice ;  and 
for  want  of  a  hot  loaf  at  any  time,  make  a  poultice  of 
bread  boiled  in 'milk,  continuing  the  eye-water  every 
day.  You  may  use  the  turnip  poultice,  but  you  must 
not  put  grease  into  it. 

Never  let  grease  or  oil  come  near  the  eyes. 

A  FILM.— THE  CURE. 

If  a  film  grows  over  the  eye,  put  a  scruple  of  white 
vitriol  and  a  scruple  of  roche-alum,  both  finely  powdered, 


THE   NEW    POCKET   FARRIER.  65 

into  half  a  quartern  of  spring- water  ;  and  with  a  feather 
put  a  drop  into  each  eye  mornings  and  evenings,  and  it 
will  eat  it  clean  off  in  three  days  or  thereabouts  ;  but  be 
not  prevailed  on  to  blow  flint  and  glass  (pounded  together) 
into  the  eyes ;  because  the  sharp  points  of  the  glass  wound 
all  the  tender  blood-vessels,  and  cause  an  inexpressible 
painful  inflammation,  not  much  inferior  and  full  as  in- 
significant as  the  farriers'  way  of  burning  a  thousand 
holes  in  his  skin  with  a  red-hot  poker,  to  cure  the  farcy. 

Gelding  and  docking  are  but  little  helps  to  bad  eyes. 

Blistering  the  temples,  cutting  out  the  haws,  and  taking 
up  the  veins,  weaken  the  optics  and  hasten  blindness. 


OBSERVATIONS   ON  WASHY  HORSES. 

It  is  observed,  some  horses  carry  a  good  belly  all  the 
journey,  others  part  with  their  food  before  it  is  well 
digested,  and  scour  all  the  way  ;  which  makes  them  so 
thin  and  lank,  that  they  are  ready  to  slip  through  their 
girts;  they  are  called  washy.  Such  horses  must  be 
chiefly  f^d  with  dry  meat,  that  is,  oats  and  beans,  and 
but  seldom  with  bran.  They  also  will  eat  as  much  or 
rather  more  than  other  horses,  and  you  should  feed  them 
oftener,  for  being  too  soon  empty  they  require  it ;  and 
if  you  will  allow  them  enough,  they  will  perform  a  tole- 
rable good  journey ;  but  I  do  not  recommend  such  a 
one. 

REMEMBER  TO  FEED. 

If  you  do  not  gallop  your  horse  off  his  wind,  I  will 

venture  to  say,  it  is  not  the  journey  tjiat  hurts  him,  but 

your  neglect  of  him  when  you  dismount.     Consider  he 

is  tied  up,  and  can  have  nothing  but  what  is  brought  to 

6* 


66  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARHIER. 

him,  for  he  cannot  help  himself;  and  if  you  do  not  cause 
him  to  be  properly  attended,  a  dog  that  wanders  about 
fares  better  than  the  horse  that  carried  you  so  well ;  and 
since  he  cannot  ask  for  what  he  wants,  you  must  supply 
every  thing. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  FEEDING. 

When  you  end  the  day's  journey,  fill  your  horse's 
belly  as  soon  as  you  can,  that  he  may  go  to  rest,  and 
he  will  be  the  fresher  for  it  in  the  morning.  It  is  an 
old  observation,  that  young  men  eat  and  sleep  better 
than  old  ;   but  old  horses  eat  and  sleep  better  than  young. 

Give  two  or  three  little  feeds  instead  of  a  large  one ; 
too  much  at  once  may  cloy  him. 

A  CORDIAL  FOR  FAINTING  ON  THE   ROAD. 

If  you  perceive  your  horse  travel  faintly,  you  may 
give  him  at  any  time  a  pint  of  warm  ale  with  a  quartern 
of  brandy,  rum  or  gin  in  it,  or  an  ounce  of  diaoente  in 
it.  Diapente  will  comfort  his  bowels,  drive  out  cold  and 
wind,  and  may  cause  him  to  carry  his  food  the  longer. 

THE  GRIPES. 

This  is  a  disorder  to  which  horses  are  very  subject, 
and  if  improperly  treated  is  not  unlikely  to  prove  fatal. 

The  attack  is  sudden,  and  is  never  preceded,  and 
seldom  accompanied,  by  any  symptoms  of  fever.  The 
horse  lies  down  and  rolls  upon  his  back. 

Some  horses  are  naturally  disposed  to  colic,  whilst 
others,  with  even  improper  treatment,  are  never  attacked 
with  it.  If  your  horse  becomes  restless,  frequently 
pawing,  making  many  fruitless  attempts  to  stale,  and 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  67 

voiding  his  excrement  in  small  quantities,  and  looking 
round  towards  his  flanks,  groaning,  kicking  at  his  belly, 
and  other  marks  of  great  agitation,  you  may  be  sure  he 
has  an  attack  of  the  gripes. 

Do  not  bleed  him  (unless  his  breath  is  very  hot)  but 
clothe  him  warm  immediately,  and  (with  a  horn)  give 
him  half  a  pint  of  brandy^  and  as  much  sweet  oil 
mixed ;  then  trot  him  about  until  he  is  a  little  warm, 
which  will  certainly  cure  some  horses.  If  it  does  not 
yours,  boil  one  ounce  of  beaten  -pepper  in  a  quart  of 
milk,  pyt  half  a  pound  of  butter,  and  two  or  three 
ounces  of  salt,  into  a  bowl  or  basin,  and  brew  them 
together,  give  it  rather  warmer  than  usual ;  it  will 
purge  him  in  half  an  hour  or  thereabouts,  and  perhaps 
remove  the  fit.  U  it  does  not,  omit  half  the  pepper,  and 
give  the  same  in  quantity  and  quality  by  way  of  clyster, 
adding  (as  it  cools)  the  yolks  of  four  eggs. 

If  this  has  the  good  effect  that  is  wished  for,  you  must 
nurse  him  up  till  he  gets  his  strength  again  ;  but  if 
neither  will  do,  boil  a  pound  of  aniseeds  in  two  quarts 
of  ale,  brew  it  upon  a  pound  of  honey  ;  when  it  is 
almost  cool  enough,  put  in  tiDO  ounces  of  diascordium, 
and  give  it  (with  a  horn)  at  three  doses,  allowing  about 
half  an  hour  between  each  dose. 

If  his  fit  abates,  give  him  time  to  recover  himself. 


WORMS  OR  BOTTS. 

If  all  this  does  not  give  him  ease,  and  if  you  have  a 
suspicion  of  worms  or  botts  breeding  in  his  guts,  (which 
indeed  may  be  the  cause)  for  they  sometimes  fasten  in 
the  passage  from  the  stomach  into  the  great  gut,  and  stop 
it ;  and  so  torment  him  till  he  dies ;  (I  have  seen  it  in 
dissections,)   then   give  him   two   ounces  of  j^thiopa 


68  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

mineral  made  info  a  ball,  tvith  an  ounce  of  the  powder 
of  aniseeds,  and  a  spoonful  of  honey. 

N.  B.  But  you  must  not  give  this  to  a  mare  with 
foal.     You  may  bleed  her  in  the  roof  of  the  mouth. 

Dr.  Morgan,  of  New  Jersey,  has  the  following  remedy 
for  botts.  Take  a  table  spoonful  of  unslaked  lime,  and 
let  it  be  given  with  the  feed  of  the  horse,  at  night  and 
morning,  regularly,  for  three,  four,  or  five  days,  and  it 
will  completely  expel  them. 

Dr.  Loomis,  of  North  Carolina,  has  a  drench,  com- 
posed of  half  a  pint  of  new  milk,  a  gill  of  molasses, 
an  ounce  of  copperas,  two  spoonfuls  of  common  salt, 
and  half  a  pint  of  warm  water.  Give  this  to  the  horse 
once  or  twice  a  day  for  a  few  days,  and  it  will  cure  him. 


THE  STAGGERS,  OR  APOPLEXY. 

Do  not  let  your  horse  stand  too  long  without  exercise, 
it  fills  his  belly  too  full  of  meat,  and  his  veins  too  full 
of  blood.  From  hence  the  staggers,  and  many  other 
distempers. 

Upon  an  attack  of  this,  the  horse  drops  down  suddenly, 
and  lies  without  sense  or  motion,  except  a  working  of 
his  flanks,  which  is  occasioned  by  a  motion  of  the  heart 
and  lungs,  and  which  never  ceases  entirely  while  any 
spark  of  life  remains.  The  previous  symptoms  are, 
drowsiness,  moist  watery  eyes,  which  sometimes  appear 
full  and  inflamed,  a  disposition  to  reel,  feebleness,  want 
of  appetite,  an  almost  continual  hanging  down  of  the 
head ;  when  the  horse  thus  falls  down,  the  case  is 
desperate  indeed  ;   few,  if  any,  recover. 

There  are  many  distinctions  of  this  disease,  as,  the 
sleepy  staggers,  mud  staggers.  The  mad  staggers  is 
that  affection  of  the  brain,  which  causes  the  animal  to 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARHIER.  69 

kick,  to  tumble,  and  plunge  about.  This  and  the  sleepy 
staggers  are  both  occasioned  by  a  diseased  stomach, 
brought  on  by  inflammation  of  that  organ,  or  simply  by 
the  retention  of  a  great  mass  of  indigestible  food  there 
and  in  the  intestines.  Constipation  attends  every  species 
of  staggers,  and  in  some  cases  the  hardened  dung  may 
be  felt  by  feeling  at  the  proper  part.  The  breath  is 
oifensive,  the  respiration  impeded,  and  the  pulse  high 
and  sharp  in  mad  staggers^  whilst  in  the  sleepy  it  is 
slow,  heavy  and  full,  without  vibration.  When  these 
latter  symptoms  continue  a  long  time,  the  blood  deter- 
mines towards  the  head,  and  the  pulse  increases,  if  the 
animal  be  one  in  good  condition. 

The  remedy  is  to  bleed  and  purge. 

Farm  horses  that  live  much  in  the  straw  yard,  and 
A^ork  hard  on  bad  hay,  will  sometimes  stand  still  at  once, 
as  if  struck  motionless,  in  the  midst  of  their  work, 
which  is  a  sure  sign  that  some  great  leading  function  has 
been  suspended  for  the  moment  by  reason  of  great 
exertion.  The  driver  has  nothing  more  to  do  in  this 
case  than  to  let  the  tired  creature  rest  for  the  space  of  a 
minute  or  two,  and  then  proceed  in  his  work  more 
leisurely.     Prevention  is  better  than  cure. 

In  all  ordinary  cases  of  staggers,  simply  opening  the 
bowels  will  effect  a  cure  nine  times  out  of  ten. 


GRAZING. 

Thin  skinned  horses  that  have  been  well  kept  and 
clothed  should  never  be  turned  to  grass  above  three 
months  in  the  year,  viz.  from  the  beginning  of  June  to 
the  end  of  Avgust. 

Thick  skinned  horses  have  strong  coats,  which  keep 
out  the  weather,  and  (if  well  fed)  will  lie  abroad,  and 


70  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

endure  hard  hunting  all  the  year,  belter  than  stable 
horses.  For,  walking  about  to  feed,  prevents  stiffness  in 
their  limbs  ;  and  treading  in  the  grass  keeps  their  hoofs 
nioist  and  cool:  but  they  should  have  a  hovel  to  come 
to  at  night,  or  when  it  snows  or  rains. 

Never  purge  a  horse  just  taken  from  grass  ;  it  dis- 
solves or  loosens  some  tender  fat  or  humours  which  fall 
into  his  legs  or  heels.  But  after  six  days  you  may  ble'^d 
him  once,  under  a  quart ;  and  at  night  give  him  the 
aniseed  cordial,  see  page  57,  which  is  a  gentle  opener. 

NO  COLD   WATER   WITH  PHYSIC. 

If  you  needs  must  purge  your  horse  (for  which  I 
would  have  a  good  reason  given)  let  him  not  touch  cold 
water  within  or  without,  till  the  day  after  it  has  done 
working;  but  you  cannot  give  him  too  much  warm  water. 
I  wish  he  would  drink  enough,  for  the  sake  of  dilution. 

A  PURGE. 

Aloes,  one  ounce.  Jalap,  two  or  three  drachms. 
Oil  of  cloves,  ten  drops:  made  into  a  ball  with  honey. 

CAUTION  AGAINST  COLD   WATER. 

Some  obstinate  grooms  will  work  it  off  with  cold  wa- 
ter ;  and  tell  you  the  sicker  he  is,  the  better  the  purge 
works.  I  deny  it;  for  cold  water  checks  the  working 
of  all  phvsic,  and  causes  gripings.  Make  that  groom 
drink  cold  water  gruel  with  his  next  pills,  and  that  uill 
convince  him. 

A  puro;e  may  work  the  first  day,  but  commonly  does 
not  till  the  second.  I  have  known  one  lie  two,  nay  three 
days  in  a  horse,  and  work  well  off  at  last. 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  71 

Sometimes  it  works  by  urine  only,  and  then  the  purge 
steals  off  unobserved  by  his  keeper ;  upon  which,  he 
makes  haste  to  give  him  a  second,  which  (he  says)  is  to 
carry  off  the  first  purge  that  has  not  worked  with  him. 
Atler  giving  the  second,  he  takes  him  out  of  a  warm 
stable,  and  trots  him  abroad  (be  the  weather  hot  or  cold) 
till  he  warms  him  and  opens  all  the  pores  of  his  body 
to  make  the  physic  work.  I  do  not  think  it  possible  for 
a  horse  with  a  purge  or  two  in  his  belly  to  escape  catch- 
ing cold  by  such  a  method,  and  must  impute  great  inju- 
ries to  it ;  for  by  such  carelessness,  and  the  want  of 
better  understanding,  some  horses  lose  an  eye,  others 
have  irrecoverable  lamenesses  settled  in  their  limbs,  and 
many  die.  Then  they  tell  you  his  liver  was  rotten,  and 
his  lungs  (upon  opening)  all  inflamed. 

PURGE   WITHIN  DOORS. 

How  can  any  gentleman  be  satisfied  for  the  loss  of  a 
good  horse  with  such  an  ignorant  account,  so  contrary 
to  the  rules  of  physic  and  even  common  sense  ?  An 
understanding  man,  when  he  has  given  his  horse  a  purge, 
will  not  stir  him  out  of  the  stable  till  it  has  done  working; 
for  there  is  really  no  need  of  exercise  during  the  opera- 
tion, because  every  purge  will  carry  itself  off,  if  you 
keep  him  warm,  and  supply  him  with  warm  mashes,  and 
as  much  warm  water  as  he  pleases  to  drink,  and  as  often. 

TO  STOP  VIOLENT  PURGINGS. 

When  a  purge  works  too  long,  or  too  strong  upon 
him,  which  will  weaken  him  too  much,  give  him  an 
ounce  of  Venice  molasses,  in  a  pint  of  warm  ale,  and 
repeat,  if  needful,  to  blunt  the  force  of  the  aloes. 

All  the  keepers  at  Newmarket  bleed  and  purge  the 


.72  THE    NEW   POCKET   FARRIER. 

running  horses  pretty  often ;  and  all  the  gentlemen  in 
England  agree  with  them  in  doing  so.  The  reason 
oiven  for  it,  is  to  carry  off  the  hupnours  which  cause 
their  legs  to  swell  and  grow  stiff,  and  to  clean  them. 
The  reason  is  good,  because  no  horse  is  fit  to  run  that 
is  not  clean ;  but  bleeding  and  purging  weakens  both 
man  and  beast ;  besides  the  hazard  of  a  horse's  life  in 
every  purge  (as  I  have  demonstrated.)  Would  it  not 
therefore  be  a  good  amendment  to  get  quit  of  those 
superfluous  humours  another  way,  so  as  to  prevent  stiff 
and  swelled  legs  without  bleeding  and  purging  ?  Would 
not  a  horse  come  into  the  field  with  better  advantage, 
who,  instead  of  bleeding  and  purging,  only  once  a  week 
takes  a  medicine  that  effectually  cleans  his  body  ;  keeps 
his  legs  from  swelling  and  stiffness ;  mends  his  wind 
by  opening  his  lungs,  and  preserves  him  in  his  full 
vigour?  I  am  sure  all  this  can  be  done  with  very  little 
bleeding,  and  no  purging ;  which  I  would  willingly 
insert  here,  did  it  properly  belong  to  this  treatise,  which 
(as  I  said)  is  intended  only  for  the  use  and  convenience 
of  travellers. 

IF  A  HORSE  LOOKS  ILL.— THE  LAMPAS— 
THE  CURE. 

if  your  horse  (who  once  looked  fat  and  sleek)  is 
brought  to  you  with  a  staring  coat  and  hollow  flank, 
open  his  mouth,  look  on  the  roof,  and  if  the  gums  next 
his  fore  teeth  are  swelled  higher  than  his  teeth,  it  will 
hinder  his  feeding  and  make  him  fall  off  his  flesh.  Let 
a  smith  burn  it  down  with  a  hot  iron  ;  that  is  a  complete 
cure  for  the  Lampas. 

U  that  is  not  the  cause,  you  should  never  cease 
enquiring  till  you  have  found  it,  for  the  horse  cannot 
speak ;  and  if  the  groom  is  in  fault,  he  will  not  tell. 


THE   NEW    POCKET   FARRIER.  73 


TAKE  CARE  OF  YOUR  HAY  AND  OATS. 

If  you  suspect  that  the  groom  does  not  give  him  your 
allowance,  it  behooves  you  to  take  care,  that  you  have 
thirty-six  trusses  in  each  load  of  hay,  as  well  as  eight 
bushels  in  every  quarter  of  oats  ;  and  that  they  are  not 
brewed  j  for  there  are  some  men  that  can  turn  oats  into 
ale. 

A  CAUSE  OF  BROKEN  WIND. 

If  a  groom  gallops  his  horse  when  he  is  full  of  water, 

he  will  tell  you  it  is  to  warm  the  water  in  his  belly ; 
from  hence  often  comes  a  broken  wind.  Make  that  fellow 
drink  a  full  quart  of  small  beer  or  water,  and  force  him 
to  run  two  or  three  hundred  yards  upon  it:  I  believe  it 
will  cure  him  of  that  opinion. 

BAD  GROOMS.- HOW  TO  DETECT  THEIR 
TREATMENT  OF  YOUR  HORSE 

If  a  horse  in  his  stall  (when  the  groom  comes  towards 
him)  shifts  from  side  to  side,  and  is  afraid  of  every 
motion  the  man  makes  about  him,  it  is  a  shrewd  sign 
that  the  groom  beats  him  in  your  absence ;  and  a  fellow 
that  will  beat  a  horse,  will  sell  his  provender. 

ROWELS. 

A  rowel  is  a  kind  of  issue  made  in  a  horse  for  inward 
strains,  hard  swellings,  &c.  But  there  is  a  wrong 
judged  custom  amongst  farriers  concerning  them.  If 
a  horse  is  sick,  they  bleed  him,  right  or  wrong,  give  him 
a  drench  and  put  a  rowel  under  his  belly;  without 
7 


74  THE  NEW  POCKET  FARRIER. 

enquiring  of  his  master  or  keeper,  what  usage  he  has 
lately  had  which  might  occasion  the  illness.  Rowels 
are  absolutely  necessary  in  some  cases,  but  are  absolutely 
unnecessary  in  others,  and  serve  only  to  disfigure  and 
torment  a  horse. 

The  rowel  in  the  navel  for  grease  is  very  wrong; 
because  rowels  in  a  horse  that  is  greased,  promote  too 
great  a  discharge  from  the  blood  and  animal  spirits, 
which  weakens  him  to  a  degree  of  irrecoverable  poverty. 
I  have  put  five  rowels  in  a  horse  at  one  time,  thinking 
(by  them)  to  let  the  grease  run  off;  but  the  more  the 
rowels  ran,  the  more  he  ran  at  the  heels,  till  the  texture 
of  his  blood  was  so  broken,  that  I  could  not  recover  him. 
This  convinced  me  it  was  the  wrong  way  to  cure  the 
grease.  I  have  heard  it  said  amongst  learned  physicians, 
that  too  many  setons  or  issues  will  draw  a  man  into  a 
consumption.  In  my  opinion,  rowels  will  do  the  same 
thing  by  a  horse,  as  they  are  of  like  nature  and  effect. 


GLANDERS  AND  FARCY. 

The  glanders  is  the  opprobrium  medicorum,  for 
hitherto  no  attempts  have  succeeded  in  the  cure  of  more 
than  a  few  cases.  By  some  peculiar  anomaly  in  the 
constitution  of  the  horse,  although  conclusive  proofs  are 
not  wanting  that  this  and  farcy  are  modifications  of  one 
disease,  and  can  each  generate  the  other ;  yet  the  one 
is  incurable,  while  the  other  is  cured  every  day. 

The  marks  of  glanders  are  a  discharge  of  purulent 
matter  from  ulcers  situated  in  one  or  both  nostrils,  more 
often  from  the  left  than  the  right.  This  discharge  soon 
becomes  glairy,  thick  and  white-of-egg-like:  it  afterwards 
shows  bloody  streaks,  and  is  foetid.  The  glands  of  the 
jaw  of  the  affected  side,  called  the  kernels,  swell  from 


THE   NEW   POCKET   FARRIER.  75 

an  absorption  of  the  virus  or  poison,  and  as  they  exist 
or  do  not  exist,  or  as  they  adhere  to  the  bone  or  are  de- 
tached from  it,  so  some  prognosis  is  vainly  attempted  by 
farriers,  with  regard  to  the  disease;  for  in  some  few 
cases  these  glands  are  not  at  all  affected,  and  in  a  great 
many  they  are  not  bound  down,  by  the  affection,  to  the 
jaw.  As  there  are  many  diseases  which  excite  a 
secretion  of  matter  from  the  nose,  and  which  is  kept  up 
a  considerable  time ;  so  it  is  not  always  easy  to  detect 
glanders  in  its  early  stages.  Strangles  and  violent  colds 
keep  up  a  discharge  from  the  nostrils  for  weeks  some- 
times. In  such  cases,  a  criterion  may  be  drawn  from 
the  existence  of  ulceration  within  the  nose,  whenever 
the  disease  has  become  confirmed.  These  glanderous 
chancres  are  to  be  seen  on  opening  the  nostril  a  little  way 
up  the  cavity,  sometimes  immediately  opposed  to  the 
opening  of  the  nostril ;  but  a  solitary  chancre  should  not 
determine  the  judgment.  The  health  often  continues 
good,  and  sometimes  the  condition  also,  until  hectic  takes 
place  from  absorption,  and  the  lungs  participate,  when 
death  soon  closes  the  scene. 

The  following  method  is  recommended  as  the  best. 

Dissolve  one  pound  of  glauber  salts  in  warm  water, 
set  it  in  a  bucket  in  his  manger,  and  he  will  drink  it; 
take  half  a  gallon  of  blood  from  his  neck  vein ;  give  a 
mash  of  two  quarts  of  wheat  bran  scalded  with  sassafras 
tea,  after  which  offer  him  lukewarm  water,  to  drink, 
and  do  not  suffer  him  to  drink  any  other  kind  for  that 
day ;  next  morning  take  the  same  quantity  of  blood  as 
before,  give  a  mash  as  before,  with  the  addition  of  half 
an  ounce  of  saltpetre  dissolved  in  it ;  let  his  food  be  wet, 
and  of-  a  weak  kind — a  run  at  grass  after  the  first  two 
days  would  be  of  service. 

The  farcy  is  a  disease  more  easily  cured  than  the 


76  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

glanders,  of  which  our  daily  experience  convinces  us ; 
farcy,  or  farcin,  attacks  under  distinct  forms,  one  of 
which  affects  the  lymphatics  of  the  skin,  and  is  called 
the  bud  or  button  farcy  :  the  other  is  principally  confined 
to  the  hind  legs,  which  it  affects  by  large  indurations, 
attended  with  heat  and  tenderness.  A  mere  dropsical 
accumulation  of  water  in  the  legs  sometimes  receives 
the  name  of  water  farcy;  but  this  has  no  connection 
whatever  with  the  true  disease  in  question  :  farcy  is  very 
contagious,  and  is  gained  from  either  the  matter  of  farcy 
or  from  that  of  glanders. 

Treatment  of  farcy. — The  distended  lymphatics  or 
buds  may  often  be  traced  to  one  sore,  which  was  the 
originally  inoculated  part,  and  in  these  cases  the  destruc- 
tion of  this  sore,  and  that  of  all  the  farcied  buds,  will 
frequently  at  once  cure  the  disease,  which  is  here  purely 
local.  But  when  the  disease  has  proceeded  farther,  the 
virus  must  be  destroyed  through  the  medium  of  the 
stomach  ;  although  even  in  these  cases,  the  cure  is 
rendered  more  speedy  and  certain,  destroying  all  the 
diseased  buds,  by  caustic  or  by  cautery.  Perhaps  no 
mode  is  better  than  the  dividing  them  with  a  sharp  firing 
iron  ;  or  if  deeper  seated,  by  opening  each  with  a  lancet, 
and  touching  the  inner  surface  with  lapis  infernalis. 
The  various  mineral  acids  may  any  of  them  be  tried  as 
internal  remedies  w>th  confidence;  never  losing  sight 
of  the  necessity  of  watching  their  effects  narrowly,  and 
as  soon  as  any  derangement  of  the  health  appears,  to 
desist  from  their  use;  oxymuriate  of  quicksilver 
(corrosive  sublimate)  may  be  given  in  daily  doses  of 
fifteen  grains ;  oxide  of  arsenic  may  also  be  given  in 
similar  doses.  The  subacetate  of  copper  (verdigris) 
may  also  be  tried,  oflen  with  great  advantage,  in  doses 
of  a  drachm  daily.  It  remains  to  say,  that  whatever 
treatment  is  pursued  will  be  rendered  doubly  efficacious 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  77 

if  green  fodder  be  procured,  and  the  horse  be  fed  wholly 
on  it ;  provided  the  bowels  will  bear  such  food  ;  but  if 
the  medicines  gripe,  by  being  joined  with  green  food, 
add  to  the  diet  bean-meal.  When  green  meat  cannot 
be  procured,  carrots  usually  can;  and  when  they  cannot, 
still  potatoes  may  be  boiled,  or  the  corn  may  be  speared 
or  malted.  As  a  proof  of  the  beneficial  effects  of  green 
meat,  a  horse,  so  bad  with  farcy  as  to  be  entirely 
despaired  of,  was  drawn  into  a  field  of  tares,  and  nothing 
more  was  done  to  him,  nor  further  notice  taken  of  him, 
although  so  ill  as  to  be  unable  to  rise  from  the  ground 
when  drawn  there.  By  the  time  he  had  eaten  all  the 
tares  within  his  reach,  he  was  enabled  to  struggle  to 
more ;  finally  he  rose  to  extend  his  search,  and  perfectly 
recovered. 

POLL  EVIL. 

An  abscess  near  the  poll  of  the  horse,  formed  in  the 
sinews  between  the  noil  bone  and  the  uppermost  vertebrse 
of  the  neck.  If  this  malady  originates  in  blows  (as  it 
generally  does)  the  best  way  will  be  to  bathe  the  swell- 
ing as  soon  as  it  is  perceived,  frequently,  with  hot  vine- 
gar, and  if  the  hair  is  fretted  off  with  a  kind  of  acrid 
humour  oozing  through  the  skin,  make  use  of  two  parts 
of  vinegar  and  one  of  wine.  But  if  there  be  an  itching, 
with  great  heat  and  inflammation,  the  safest  way  is  to 
bleed  freely,  and  apply  a  red  oak  poultice,  which 
method  of  proceeding,  with  the  assistance  of  two  or 
three  doses  of  purgative  physic,  will  disperse  the  tumour 
and  arrest  the  disease.  If,  however,  in  spite  of  this  pre- 
caution, the  swelling  increases,  and  has  all  the  signs  of 
containing  matter,  the  only  way  left  is  to  bring  it  to  a 
head  as  soon  as  possible,  that  it  may  be  discharged  either 
by  the  tumour  bursting  of  itself,  or  being  opened  with  a 
7* 


78  THE    NEW   POCKET   FARHIER. 

knife.  In  the  latter  case,  however,  great  care  should 
be  taken  by  the  operator  not  to  injure  the  tendinous  liga- 
ments which  run  along  the  neck,  under  the  mane. 
When  matter  lies  on  both  sides,  the  opening  must  also 
be  on  each  side,  that  the  ligament  may  remain  undivided. 
The  following  poultice  should  be  used  in  bringing  the 
tumour  to  a  head ;  marsh-mallows,  corn-meal,  hog's 
lard,  and  oil  of  turpentine.  If  the  matter  flows  in  great 
quantities,  resembling  melted  glue,  and  is  of  an  oily  con- 
sistence, the  cavity  of  the  wound  should  be  carefully 
examined  by  the  finger  or  probe,  and  further  laid  open 
by  the  knife  and  dressed  with  spirits  of  turpentine,  honey 
and  tincture  of  myrrh,  until  a  light  and  thick-coloured 
matter  appears.  Cleanse  the  sore  well  with  a  sponge 
dipped  in  soap-suds ;  then  take  half  an  ounce  of  verdi- 
gris, four  ounces  oil  of  turpentine,  two  ounces  blue  stone 
and  half  an  ounce  green  copperas,  which  mix  together 
and  hold  over  a  fire  until  the  mixture  is  as  hot  as  a 
horse  can  endure;  then  pour  it  into  the  abscess  and 
stitch  it  up.  This  must  remain  several  days,  without 
any  other  application  except  bathing  with  spirits  of  wine. 
When  the  matter  becomes  of  a  whitish  colour"  and  de- 
creases in  quantity,  a  cure  is  rapidly  advancing. 


RAT'S  TAIL. 

This  is  a  malignant  kind  of  disease  in  horses,  re- 
sembling scratches.  It  proceeds  sometimes  from  too 
much  rest,  and  the  keeper's  negligence  in  not  rubbing 
and  dressing  them  well ;  also  by  reason  of  being  highly 
kept  and  not  properly  exercised.  This  disease  makes 
its  appearance  on  the  back  sinews,  and  may  be  known 
by  the  part  being  without  hair,  and  from  two  or  three 
fingers'  breadth   below  the  ham  to  the  very  pastern- 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  79 

joint.  Sometimes  the  scabs  are  dry,  at  other  times 
watery.  The  moist  sort  generally  is  cured  by  drying 
applications  ;  and  the  dry  hard  sort  mostly  yields  to 
strong  mercurial  ointment. 

Coach  horses  of  a  large  size,  that  have  their  legs 
loaded  with  flesh,  hair,  &c.,  are  more  frequently  attacked 
by  this  than  horses  with  legs  of  a  different  description ; 
but  they  may  easily  be  cured  by  paying  attention  to  the 
following  directions — in  the  first  place,  ride  the  horse 
pretty  smartly  till  he  is  warm,  which  will  make  the 
veins  swell ;  then  bleed  him  freely  in  the  fetlock  veins 
on  both  sides.  Next  day  wash  the  sores  well  with  warm 
water,  and  clip  away  all  the  hair  from  about  the  affected 
parts,  and  apply  this  ointment :  green  copperas  and  ver- 
digris, of  each  four  ounces ;  of  common  honey,  half  a 
pound ;  well  mixed  together. 

ANTICOR 

Consists  in  an  inflamed  swelling  of  the  breast  near 
the  heart,  and  the  name  is  extended  to  any  other  swelling 
from  this  part  back  under  the  belly,  even  to  the  sheath, 
which  also  swells :  in  this  event  anticor  is  decidedly 
dropsical. 

The  cause  of  it  is  full  feeding  without  sufficient  exer- 
cise. Hard  riding  or  driving,  and  subsequent  exposure, 
or  giving  cold  water  to  animals  that  are  fleshy  in  the 
forehand,  combined  with  a  vitiated  state  qf  the  blood, 
produce  those  extended  swellings  that  partake  somewhat 
of  the  nature  of  swelled  limb  in  grease,  and  yet  ter- 
minate in  abscess  when  the  case  is  a  bad  one. 

The  symptoms  are  an  enlargement  of  the  breast,  that 
threatens  suffocation.  The  animal  appears  stiff  about 
the  neck,  looks  dull  and  drooping,  refuses  his  food,  and 
trembles  or  shivers  with  the  inflammation,  which  may 


80  THE    NEW    POCKET   FARRIER. 

be  felt.  The  pulse  is  dull  and  uneven.  If  the  disease 
owes  its  origin  to  dropsy,  each  pressure  of  the  finger 
will  remain  pitted  a  few  moments  after  the  finger  is 
withdrawn. 

To  repress  the  swelling,  bleed  copiously;  give  purga- 
tives and  clyster  him;  give  bran  mashes,  and  let  the 
chill  be  taken  oflT  his  water.  Foment  the  throat  and 
breast  with  bran  mash  or  marshmallows,  every  four  or 
five  hours;  and  when  these  have  reduced  the  symptoms, 
give  an  alterative  ball  of  2  drachms  tartar  emetic,  and 
half  an  ounce  Venice  turpentine,  mixed  with  liquorice 
powder  enough  to  make  the  ball  for  one  dose.  Give 
one  every  eight-and-forty  hours. 

If  the  swelling  depend  upon  dropsy,  let  a  fleam  or 
horse-lancet  be  struck  into  the  skin  at  four  or  five  places 
distant  from  each  other,  and  in  the  lowest  part  of  the 
swelling.  From  these  punctures  a  watery  discharge 
will  take  place,  that  relieves  the  patient  hourly,  and  the 
issue  of  the  matter  is  to  be  promoted  by  keeping  open 
the  sores  with  a  seton,  the  tape  being  daily  saturated  in 
a  mixture  of  2  oz.  spirits  of  wine,  and  1  scruple  corro- 
sive sublimate.  This  will  keep  open  the  orifice  until  the 
offensive  matter  has  run  oif,  and  is  succeeded  by  the  more 
healthy  issue  of  thicker  consistency  and  nearly  white. 
On  this  appearance  the  seton  is  to  be  withdrawn,  and 
the  parts  dressed  with  digestive  ointment,  the  animal 
physicked  once  or  twice  with  a  moderate  purging  hall 
or  six  or  seven  drachms  of  aloes,  and  the  cure  will  com- 
plete itself  with  the  ordinary  dressings. 

THE  STRANGLES. 

.  This,  as  the  name  imports,  is  first  indicated  by  a 
coughing  and  difficulty  of  swallowing,  as  if  the  animal 
would  die  of  strangulation.     It  is  a  disorder  of  youth, 


THE    NEW   POCKET    FARRIER.  81 

(like  our  hooping-cough),  is  inherent  to  the  nature  of 
the  animal,  (as  is  our  small-pox)  once  only,  and  its 
virulence  may  be  abated  by  inoculation.  It  is  sometimes 
attended  with  high  fever;  the  appetite  fails,  the  horse 
dwindles  away  very  fast  and  wears  a  dejected  look. 

The  symptoms  are — a  swelling  commences  between 
the  upper  part  of  the  two  jaw-bones,  or  a  little  lower 
down  towards  the  chin,  and  directly  under  the  tongue. 
A  cough,  and  the  discharge  of  a  white  thick  matter, 
follow;  with  great  heat,  pain,  and  tension  of  the 
tumours,  and  of  all  the  adjacent  membranes,  to  such  a 
degree  that  the  animal  can  scarcely  swallow.  The  eyes 
send  forth  a  watery  humour,  and  the  lid  is  nearly  closed  : 
this  is  mostly  the  case  when  it  happens  that  the  two 
larger  glands  under  the  ear  are  affected  also,  which 
frequently  happens. 

This  disorder  is  seldom  fatal ;  but  when  this  does 
occur,  the  animal  dies  of  suffocation  ;  he  stands  with  his 
nose  thrust  out,  the  nostrils  distended ;  the  breathing 
is  then  exceedingly  laborious  and  difBcult,  and  accompa- 
nied by  rattling  in  the  throat. 

For  this  last  mentioned  extreme  case,  no  other  remedy- 
is  found  than  making  an  opening  in  the  windpipe,  through 
which  the  animal  may  breathe. 

On  the  contrary,  the  disorder  being  constitutional,  that 
is  to  say,  an  effort  of  nature  to  relieve  itself  of  noxious 
matters,  the  treatment  is  very  simple.  Horses  that  may 
be  in  good  condition  at  the  time  of  the  attack,  and  withal 
highly  feverish  and  full  of  corn,  will  only  require  open- 
ing medicine ;  whilst  a  brisk  purgative  might  do"  harm 
by  lessening  the  access  of  matter  to  the  tumour.  Give 
the  following  laxative  ball : — Aloes  and  Castile  soap, 
each  3  drachms ;  Ginger  1  scruple ;  mixed  for  one  dose. 
If  difficulty  of  swallowing  is  already  perceivable,  a 
laxative  drench  must  be  given  instead,  viz.  Castor  oil  6 
oz,  water  gruel  1  qt,  and  salts  6  oz,  mixed. 


82  THE   NEW    POCKET    FAHRIER. 

The  essence  of  this  disease  consists  in  the  formation 
and  suppuration  of  the  tumour  under  the  jaw,  and  our 
principal  aim  should  be  to  hasten  it  to  a  head,  to  do 
which  it  should  be  actively  blistered.  A  blister  not  only 
secures  the  ripening  of  the  tumour,  but  hastens  it  by 
many  days.  Do  not  be  premature  in  using  the  lancet, 
but  give  time  for  the  whole  matter  to  collect ;  when  this 
period  arrives,  the  swelling  will  be  soft  and  yielding — it 
should  then  be  deeply  and  freely  lanced.  It  is  bad  to 
let  the  swelling  burst  of  itself,  because  a  ragged  ulcer  is 
formed,  very  slow  to  health  and  difficult  of  treatment. 
If  the  incision  is  deep  enough  no  second  collection  of 
matter  will  form.  Suffer  that  already  formed  to  ooze 
slowly  out,  without,  however,  any  pressure  of  your 
fingers.  It  should  be  kept  clean,  and  you  should  daily 
inject  into  the  wound  a  small  quantity  of  friar's  balsam. 

If  after  this  there  is  much  fever  and  an  affection  of 
the  chest,  bleeding,  should  be  resorted  to;  but  in  most 
cases  bleeding  will  be  unnecessary — not  only  so,  but 
injurious, — because  it  will  retard  the  suppuration  of  the 
tumour  and  increase  debility.  Nitre,  tartar  emetic,  and 
cooling  medicines  should  be  administered  ;  and  he  should 
have  green  food,  such  as  fresh-cut  grass  or  tares,  if  they 
are  to  be  had,  and  bran  mashes ;  if  riot  to  be  had,  such 
as  is  light  and  not  difficult  to  digest.  If  the  complaint 
lasts  long  and  extreme  debility  is  produced,  malt  mashes 
should  be  substituted  for  bran. 

VIVES. 

This  disorder  bears  a  near  affinity  to  the  strangles. 
The  symptoms  are  swellings  or  kernels  under  the  ear, 
that  occasion  manifest  pain  when  touched ;  the  animal 
coughs  more  than  one  which  has  the  strangles,  and  a 
difficulty  of  swallowing  soon  is  evident.     Stiffiiess  of  the 


THE   NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  83 

neck  follows,  and  the  horse  makes  frequent  efforts  to 
swallow  the  saliva,  but  is  unable. 

The  cure  of  the  vives  that  arises  from  a  simple  is 
very  easy,  but  not  so  that  which  is  connected  with  a 
general  bad  habit  of  the  body.  Oftentimes  it  happens 
that  the  vives  depend  upon  glanders  or  farcy,  and  will 
only  subside  when  the  virulence  of  these  is  reduced. 

Foment  the  part  with  warm  water,  and  after  it  has 
been  well  dried,  clothe  the  head  so  as  to  keep  otf  the  air. 
Much  of  the  pain  and  tension  of  the  tumour  will  be 
alleviated  by  this  treatment,  even,  and  a  slight  attack  will 
be  entirely  removed  by  following  it  up  with  fomentations 
of  marshmallows ;  or  anoint  the  parts  with  ointment  of 
marshmallows,  and  cover  the  head  with  clothing.  A 
bread  poultice  affords  relief,  and  bleeding  in  stubborn 
cases  is  often  necessary,  with  purgatives.  The  body,  in 
fact,  should  be  opened,  whether  we  bleed  or  no  :  always 
leave  open  the  main  road  for  such  humours  to  escape 
by.  This  alone  will  carry  off  a  recent  attack,  provided 
the  head  clothing  be  kept  on  at  the  same  time,  nature, 
performing  the  remainder  by  absorption.  Low  diet,  a 
plentiful  supply  of  water  gruel,  and  bran  mashes,  to 
which  an  ounce  of  nitre  may  be  added  daily,  will  reduce 
that  thickened  state  of  the  blood  which  ever  attends  this 
species  of  tumour. 

False  vives,  or  imperfect  ones,  that  are  hard  and  in- 
sensible, sometimes  cause  a  good  deal  of  needless  trouble. 
They  neither  come  forward  nor  recede,  do  not  seem  to 
cause  any  particular  pain,  but  still  continue  an  eye-sore 
and  give  reason  to  apprehend  disagreeable  consequences  ; 
and  always  prevent  an  advantageous  sale  of  an  animal. 
Stimulating  embrocations  are  well  calculated  for  reducing 
these  hard  tumours,  and  the  blistering  liniment,  made 
of  cantharides  and  oil,  never  fails. 


84  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

BARBS. 

Barbs  are  excrescences  or  knots  of  superfluous  flesh, 
found  under  the  tongues  of  horses,  and  are  to  be  easily 
discovered  by  drawing  them  to  one  side.  The  cure  is 
to  be  effected  by  cutting  them  close  off",  and  afterwards 
washing  the  part  with  salt  and  water  or  brandy,  nor 
should  the  cure  be  postponed  or  neglected  when  a  dis- 
covery has  been  made  of  the  disease,  for  though  it  may 
appear  as  a  trifling  matter,  it  will  hinder  a  horse  from 
drinking,  and  if  he  does  not  drink  freely,  he  cannot  eat 
heartily,  but  will  languish  from  day  to  day  without  any 
one  perhaps  taking  any  notice  of  it. 

GIGGS  UPON  THE  LIPS. 

Giggs,  otherwise  called  Bladders,  or  Flaps  ;  are  a 
disease  in  the  mouth  of  a  horse,  consisting  of  small 
swellings  or  pustules  with  black  heads,  on  the  inside  of 
his  lips,  under  his  great  jaw  teeth,  which  will  sometimes 
increase  to  the  size  of  a  large  walnut,  at  which  ad- 
vanced state  they  are  so  painful,  that  the  horse  will  let 
his  meat  fall  out  of  his  mouth,  or  keep  it  there  unchewed, 
sooner  than  attempt  to  eat  it.  These  bladdders  are  gen- 
erally produced  from  foul  feeding,  and  are  to  be  cured 
by  opening  them  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  thrusting  out 
the  kernels,  or  corruption,  and  afterwards  washing  the 
place  with  vinegar  and  salt,  or  with  alum  water.  But 
if  they  should  degenerate  into  the  canker,  it  will  be  the 
best  way  to  dress  them  two  or  three  times  with  honey 
of  roses,  and  spirits  of  vitriol,  mixed  in  such  proportions 
as  to  be  pretty  sharp  of  the  latter  ingredient. 

RINGBONE. 

A  hard  swelling  on  the  lower  part  of  a  horse's  pas- 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  85 

terns,  that  generally  reaches  half  round  on  the  fore  part, 
and  derives  its  name  from  the  resemblance  it  bears  to  a 
ring.  It  often  arises  from  bruises,  strains,  &c.,  and, 
when  it  comes  behind,  which  is  sometimes  the  case,  from 
the  animal's  being  put  frequently  upon  his  haunches 
while  too  young,  for  in  that  attitude  a  horse  throws  the 
weight  of  his  body  as  much  (or  more)  upon  his  pasterns 
than  upon  his  hocks. 

When  a  ringbone  appears  distinctly  round  the  pas- 
tern, and  does  not  run  down  the  coronet,  so  as  to  affect 
the  coffin  joint,  it  is"  easily  cured  ;  but  if  it  takes  its  rise 
from  some  strain  or  affection  of  the  joint  itself,  or  if  a 
callosity  is  formed  under  the  round  ligament  that  covers 
the  joint,  the  cure  is  at  best  doubtful,  and  frequently  im- 
practicable, as  in  this  case  it  too  frequently  degenerates 
into  a  quittor,  and  forms  an  ulcer  upon  the  hoof.  Those 
ringbones  that  appear  on  colts,  &c.,  will  frequently  go 
away  of  themselves,  without  any  application  at  all,  and 
when  the  substance  remains,  a  blister  or  two  will  in  gen- 
eral remove  it,  except,  by  being  let  alone  too  long,  it  has 
acquired  a  great  degree  of  hardness  and  callosity,  in 
which  case  it  will  perhaps  require  both  blistering  and 
firing. 

To  ensure  the  success  of  the  last  mentioned  operation 
on  ring  bones,  it  should  be  performed  with  a  much  thin- 
ner instrument  than  what  is  commonly  made  use  of  for 
that  purpose,  and  the  lines  or  rases  should  be  made  at 
little  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  distance,  crossing 
them  obliquely  ;  and  when  this  is  done,  a  mild  blister 
should  be  applied  over  the  whole,  and  the  horse  turned 
out  to  grass. 

FISTULA. 

A  kind  of  ulcer,  which  is  long,  narrow,  and  winding, 
and  generally   has  a  callous  inside.      The   seat  of  a 


86  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

fistula  is  in  the  cellular  membrane,  and  is  known  to  be 
present  when  there  is  a  small  aperture  or  opening  on 
the  surface  of  the  body,  from  which  a  sanious  or  other 
matter,  either  flows  spontaneously,  or  may  be  pressed 
out ;  its  depth  and  direction  is  discovered  by  introducing 
a  probe,  or  if  its  directions  are  various,  as  is  sometimes 
the  case,  warm  water  may  be  injected  therein,  which 
will  show  the  course  it  takes,  if  that  is  near  the  skin,  by 
elevating  it ;  and  if  it  is  too  deeply  seated  to  be  thus  ob- 
served, the  quantity  of  water  thrown  in  will  be  a  criterion 
whereby  to  judge  of  the  size  of  the  cavity.  The  probe 
will  indeed  discover  whether  or  not  the  sinus  runs  upon  a 
bone,  or  if  the  bone  be  carious,  which  water  will  not  do. 
The  various  parts  in  which  these  ulcers  are  seated,  and 
the  different  circumstances  which  attend  them,  constitute 
the  chief  difference  betwixt  one  fistula  and  another.  As 
to  prognostics,  the  thicker  the  cellular  membrane  is,  or 
the  more  strata,  or  layers  of  muscles  one  over  another, 
the  more  mischievous  a  fistula  will  prove.  While  it  is 
simple,  and  extends  no  farther  than  it  can  be  wholly 
come  at  by  a  knife,  it  may  be  easily  cured,  but  when  it 
is  situated  in  parts  that  render  the  use  of  the  knife 
hazardous,  or  when  it  is  complicated  with  a  caries  of  the 
bone,  the  cure  is  often  difficult  if  not  impossible.  When 
fistulas  which  are  not  yet  become  callous,  are  compli- 
cated with  ulcers,  the  most  expeditious  relief  is  obtained 
by  laying  them  open  to  the  bottom,  if  it  can  be  done 
without  running  any  great  risk,  after  which  they  are  to 
be  cleansed  and  healed  as  simple  wounds.  Another 
method  of  effecting  a  cure,  is  by  pressing  their  bottoms 
towards  their  orifices  by  the  help  of  a  proper  compress, 
which  must  be  applied  to  its  bottom  after  the  ulcer  is 
cleansed,  and  proper  applications  have  been  put  into  the 
fistula.  Some  practitioners  reprobate  all  kind  of  injec- 
tions, but  when  they  lie  so  deep  that  their  lower  parts 


THE    NEW    POCKET   FAREIER.  87 

cannot  be  cleansed  by  any  other  means,  detergent  injec- 
tions must  of  course  be  used,  such  as  a  decoction  of 
birtwort  mixed  with  honey,  or  with  the  simple  tincture 
of  myrrh.  These,  or  something  else  of  a  like  nature, 
must  be  injected  warm  at  every  dressing,  and  retained 
for  a  little  time,  at  the  same  time  compressing  gently  the 
bottom  and  orifice  of  the  fistula,  that  the  peccant  matter 
may  be  the  more  effectually  washed  away ;  and  this 
method  must  be  continued  until  the  bottom  of  the  fistula 
begins  to  be  conglutinated ;  then  dress  with  some  mild 
digestive,  to  which  is  added  a  little  of  the  balsam  of  Peru 
or  capivi. 

Should  this  method  fail  of  effecting  a  cure,  the  man- 
ual operation  must  be  attempted,  but  even  this  is  not  to 
be  depended  on,  unless  you  can  make  the  incision  to  the 
very  bottom  of  the  ulcer.  Nothing  is  better  adapted  to 
perform  this  operation  than  the  knife,  but  whatever 
instrument  is  made  use  of,  the  skin  and  flesh  that  cover 
the  diseased  part,  must  he  divided  to  the  bottom ;  for 
when  fistulous  ulcers  are  laid  thoroughly  open,  the  cor- 
rupted matter  is  not  only  better  discharged,  but  proper 
medicines  are  more  commodiously  applied.  If,  upon 
making  the  incision,  a  large  quantity  of  blood  is  dis- 
charged, you  may  fill  the  wound  with  dry  lint,  and 
when  the  callosities  are  either  pared  away  with  the  knife, 
or  wasted  by  the  use  of  eschorate  medicines,  the  cure 
will  be  effected  in  the  same  manner  as  other  sim|)le 
wounds.  As  for  the  corrosive  injections,  which  are  re- 
commended by  some  authors,  they  can  be  of  no  use 
whatever.  Indeed,  any  person  who  is  acquainted  with 
the  manner  in  which  such  things  operate  on  the  body, 
will  be  convinced,  that  instead  of  being  serviceable,  they 
must  aggravate  the  disease,  by  making  the  callosity  and 
hardness  of  the  sides  greater  and  more  difficult  to  be 
removed. 


88  THE   NEW    POCKET    FABRIER. 


THE  YELLOWS  OR  JAUNDICE. 

A  distemper  with  which  horses  are  frequently  affected. 
It  is  known  by  a  dusky  yellowness  of  the  eyes  ;  the 
inside  of  the  mouth  and  lips,  the  tongue,  and  the  bars 
of  the  roof  of  the  mouth  looking  yellowish  at  the  same 
time.  The  horse  is  dull  and  droops  his  head ;  his 
excrements  are  hard  and  dry  and  of  a  pale  yellow,  or 
pale  green  colour  ;  he  stales  with  pain  and  difficulty,  and 
his  urine  is  of  a  dark  brownish  colour,  and  leaves  on  the 
ground  an  appearance  of  blood. 

Young  horses  and  fat  ones  are  easily  cured. 

Purge  him ;  give  him  bran  mashes,  green  food,  and 
succulents,  according  to  the  season.  Bleeding  is  seldom 
necessary  or  proper,  which  the  state  of  the  pulse  will 
show. 

STRING-HALT. 

String-halt,  in  horses,  is  a  sudden  twitching  or  snatch- 
ing up  of  the  hind  legs  much  higher  than  the  other,  to 
which  imperfection  the  most  spirited  and  mettlesome 
horses  are  .  unfortunately  the  most  subject.  It  is 
generally  brought  on  by  sudden  colds  after  hard  riding 
or  severe  labour,  particularly  by  washing  a  horse,  while 
he  is  very  hot,  with  cold  water,  a  practice  that  cannot  be 
sufficiently  reprobated.  It  may  likewise  be  occasioned 
by  a  blow  or  bruise  near  the  hock. 

The  opinions  of  authors  about  the  cure  of  this  com- 
plaint are  various  ;  some  recommend  cutting  a  tendon 
which  lies  under  the  hinder  vein  of  the  thigh;  others 
the  use  of  liniments,  ointments,  fomentations,  &c. ;  but 
in  general  the  cure  is  difficult,  and  seldom  effected. 


THE    NEW   POCKET    FARBIEB.  '     89 


RUNNING  THRUSH. 

Running  Thrush,  in  horses,  is  an  ulcerated  or  varicous 
state  of  the  frog,  attended  with  a  discharge  of  acrid 
corrosive  ichor,  which  sometimes  quite  destroys  it.  This 
complaintis  generally  occasioned  by  inattention,  and  in 
Its  earliest  stages  is  by  no  means  hsrrd  to  be  cured.  In 
all  cases  it  will  be  prudent,  and  even  necessary,  to  pare 
away  as  much  as  possible  of  the  diseased  parts,  and 
wash  away  any  filth  that  may  be  lodged  on  the  adjoin- 
ing ones,  with  a  lather  of  soft  soap  and  water,  after 
which  the  feet  should  be  constantly  stopped  with  cow- 
dung,  or  something  of  a  similar  nature.  Should  the 
complaint  not  give  way  to  this  treatment,  there  may  be 
reason  to  apprehend  that  it  is  owing  to  a  vitiated  state 
of  the  fluids,  in  which  case  a  few  doses  of  alterative 
physic  may  be  useful ;  but,  perhaps,  turning  the  horse 
out  to  grass  for  a  month  or  two,  if  the  season  admits 
thereof,  is  by  far  the  best  method  of  attempting  the  cure. 

CORNS. 

Causes. — An  entire  series  of  disorders,  as  canker, 
sand-crack,  corn,  and  founder,  may  be  referred  to  the 
same  original  causes ;  namely,  a  heated  or  inflammatory 
state  of  the  blood,  which  accident  may  concur  to  bring 
forward  in  one  or  other  form,  according  to  circumstances. 
Distortion  and  undue  pressure  on  the  sensible  sole 
occasions  that  irritation  which  brings  on  inflammation  of 
its  edge,  where  the  shuttle-bone,  or  heel-hone,  presses 
down  upon  it  at  every  step,  and  causes  the  utmost 
bending  that  the  minute  elasticity  of  the  hoof  allows  of; 
but  contraction  of  the  heel,  which  accompanies  hot, 
brittle,  and  inelastic  hoof,  prevents  its  bending  duly  and 


90  THE   NEW    POCKET   FAERIER. 

truly,  and  lateral  pressure  upon  the  quarter  follows. 
The  sole  being  thus  unduly  pent  up,  the  circulation  is 
obstructed  in  its  passage  to  and  from  the  cavity  of  the 
coffin-bone,  and  a  deposit  of  blood,  which  soon  becomes 
offensive  matter,  is  the  consequence.  Bad  shoeing, 
whereby  the  heels  are  pinched,  also  when  the  ragged 
hoof  is  left,  which  may  have  contained  particles  of  sand, 
will  cause  irritation,  and  end  in  corn,  or  jigg. 

Symptoms. — The  mischief  thus  commenced  within, 
shows  itself  between  the  bar  and  the  crust,  or  wall  of 
the  hoof,  in  a  foxy  or  dirty-red  tumour,  with  greatly 
increased  heat.  Lameness,  in  a  degree  proportioned  to 
the  badness  of  the  corn,  is  usually  the  first  symptom 
that  directs  our  attention  to  the  sole.  Figg  is  but  an- 
other name  for  the  same  kind  of  corn  when  situated 
close  to  the  bar  of  the  frog,  a  little  farther  back  in  the 
hollow  of  the  sole.  Pain,  very  acute  on  the  touch; 
or,  when  the  horse  treads  on  a  hard  substance,  he  issues 
a  moan,  or  grunt :  it  is  that  sound  in  which  his  voice  is 
aptly  likened  to  the  complaint  of  the  human  sufferer. 

Cure. — Although  oftentimes  very  troublesome,  return- 
ing again  and  again  when  the  farrier  apprehends  he 
has  cured  it  radically,  yet  no  affection  is  easier  of  a 
partial  remedy,  or  effected  by  more  ordinary  means. 
Deceived  by  the  name,  perhaps,  resembling  the  hard 
excrescence  called  a  corn  on  the  human  foot,  they  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  "  pare  the  corn  out  to  the  quick,  till  the 
blood  starts  ;"  but  they  heedlessly  put  on  the  same  shoe 
upon  the  same  thick  heel  and  hard  hoof  which  first 
brought  about  the  malady,  and  the  lameness  returns. 
Let  the  heel  of  the  shoe  be  cut  off  on  the  side  that  is 
afflicted,  or  if  both  sides  have  corns,  a  bar  shoe  is  re- 
commended as  giving  pressure  to  the  frog.  The  heels 
are  then  to  be  rasped  away  free  from  any  contact  with 
the  shoe ;  if  they  are  thick  and  hard,  this  will  give  them 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  91 

play — if  thin  and  tender,  they  will  thus  be  freed  from 
pressure.  The  thick  heel  is  most  commonly  affected, 
and  should  be  softened  by  an  extensive  poultice  that  is 
to  cover  the  whole  foot,  after  the  corn  has  been  pared 
and  treated  with  butter  of  antimony.  Tar  is  then  a 
very  desirable  application,  or  Friar^s  balsam;  and  if 
inflammation  is  again  discovered,  poultice  the  foot  once 
more.  Fire  is  applied  by  some,  but  the  hoof  is  per- 
manently injured  by  the  actual  cautery ;  and  whatever 
good  is  achieved  is  thus  counterbalanced  by  the  evil. 
Vitriolic  acid  mixed,  carefully^  with  tar,  in  the  propor- 
tion of  one-tenth  of  the  former  to  nine-tenths  of  the  latter, 
will  promote  the  absorption  upon  which  the  cure  depends. 

But  in  some  desperate  bad  cases  the  matter  has  already 
formed  within,  most  offensively,  and  discharges  at  the 
coronet  by  means  of  that  curious  process  of  nature 
which  affords  the  coronet  the  material  for  forming  new 
horn  to  supply  the  wear  and  tear  of  the  hoof.  Upon 
paring  away  the  horny  sole,  which  now  becomes  neces- 
sary, the  offensive  matter  will  be  found  to  have  spread 
itself  underneath  the  sensible  sole,  which  will  ooze  forth 
and  give  immediate  relief  to  the  coronet.  Let  so  much 
of  the  horny  sole  as  lies  loose  from  the  sensible  sole  be 
pared  away,  and  a  dressing  of  tar,  or  of  Friar's  balsam, 
be  applied  as  before  directed  ;  and  if  inflammation  is  again 
discovered,  apply  a  bread  poultice;  should  the  growth 
of  horn  be  found  too  luxuriant,  discontinue  the  tar. 

Where  it  has  been  necessary  to  remove  much  of  the 
corn,  the  horse  should  be  suffered  to  remain  in  a  loose 
place,  or  be  turned  out  to  grass  until  the  horn  is  re- 
generated. 

A  FEVER.— A  CURE. 

Would  you  know  when  a  horse  is  in  a  fever  ?  There 
is  a  pulse  a  little  above  the  knee,  in  the  inside  of  his  leg, 


92  THE   NEW   POCKET   FARRIER. 

which  may  be  felt  in  thin-skinned  horses,  but  the  best 
and  surest  way,  is  to  put  your  hand  to  his  nostrils,  and 
discover  it  by  the  heat  of  his  breath. 

Fever  is  a  disease  that  frequently  attacks  horses,  the 
symptoms  of  which  are,  extreme  restlessness,  the  crea- 
ture ranges  from  one  end  of  the  rack  to  the  other,  his 
flanks  beat,  his  eyes  e^re  red  and  inflamed,  his  tongue 
parched  and  dry,  his  breath  hot  and  strong,  he  loses  his 
appetite,  and  nibbles  at  his  hay,  but  without  chewing  it, 
and  is  frequently  seen  to  smell  at  the  ground.  The 
whole  body  is  hotter  than  common,  though  not  parched, 
as  in  some  other  disorders ;  he  dungs  often,  but  little  at  a 
time,  and  that  is  generally  hard  and  in  little  bits.  When 
he  stales  it  is  frequently  with  difl[iculty,  and  his  urine  is 
high  coloured ;  he  appears  thirsty,  but  drinks  only  a 
small  quantity  at  a  time,  though  often,  and  his  pulse 
beats  full  and  hard,  and  fifty  or  .more  strokes  in  the 
space  of  a  minute.  The  first  thing  to  be  done  when  the 
disorder  is  clearly  ascertained,  is  to  bleed  to  the  quantity 
of  two  quarts,  if  the  horse  is  strong  and  in  good  condi- 
tion, after  which  give  him  a  pint  of  the  following  drink 
four  times  a  day,  or  an  ounce  of  nitre  made  into  a  ball 
with  a  little  honey  may  be  given  twice  or  three  times  a 
day  instead  of  the  drink,  if  it  should  be  better  approved 
of,  and  washed  down  with  three  or  four  horns  of  gruel, 
or  some  other  diluting  liquor : 

Take  baum,  sage,  and  chamomile  flowers,  of  each  an 
handful,  liquorice  root,  sliced  thin,  half  an  ounce,  salt 
prunel  or  nitre,  three  ounces  ;  infuse  the  whole  about  an 
hour  in  two  quarts  of  boiling  water,  then  strain  off  the 
liquor,  and  squeeze  into  it  the  juice  of  two  or  three 
lemons,  and  sweeten  it  with  a  little  honey. 

As  the  principal  ingredient  to  be  depended  on  in  this 
drink  is  the  nitre,  it  might,  perhaps,'  in  some  respects,  be 
as  well  given  in  water  alone  ;  but  as  a  horse's  stomach 


THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER.  93 

is  soon  palled,  and  he  requires  medicines  that  are  some- 
what palatable,  the  other  things  may  in  some  respects 
have  their  share  of  utility.  Some  recommend  for  the 
same  purpose,  to  dissolve  two  ounces  of  cream  of  tartar, 
and  one  of  sal  ammoniac  in  two  quarts  of  water,  which 
is  afterwards  to  be  mixed  with  a  bucket  of  common 
water,  and  given  the  horse  for  his  drink,  adding  a  hand- 
ful of  bran  or  barley-meal,  to  take  off  the  unpleasant 
taste,  and  render  it  more  palatable.  The  following  drink 
is  also  good  in  fevers : 

Take  Russian  pearl  ashes,  one  ounce,  distilled  vine- 
gar a  pint,  spring  water  a  quart,  honey  four  ounces, 
and  when  mixed,  give  a  pint  three  or  four  times  a  day.* 

This  neutralized  mixture,  and  the  nitre  mixture  before 
prescribed,  may  be  taken  alternately  ;  they  are  both  effi- 
cacious medicines,  and  in  some  cases  may,  with  propri- 
ety, be  joined  to  the  camphorated  julap.  While  horses  are 
taking  these  medicines,  their  diet  should  be  scalded  bran, 
given  in  small  quantities  at  a  time;  and  should  they 
refuse  that,  let  them  have  raw  bran  sprinkled  with 
water,  and  a  handful  of  picked  hay  may  be  put  into  the 
rack,  which  they  will  frequently  eat,  while  they  refuse 
every  other  species  of  food.  Their  water  should  not  be 
much  warmed,  but  should  be  given  them  often,  and  in 
small  quantities.  Their  clothing  must  be  light,  as  too 
much  heat  and  weight  on  a  horse  that  has  a  fever  would 
be  improper.  If  in  a  few  days  the  horse  that  is  thus 
treated  begins  to  eat  his  bran,  and  pick  a  little  hay,  this 
method  only  need  be  pursued,  and  in  a  few  days  the 
danger  will  be  over.  But  if  he  refuses  to  feed,  and  the 
other  symptoms  still  continue  the  same,  or  rather  in- 
crease, it  will  be  necessary  to  take  away  more  blood ; 
after  which,  the  drinks  may  be  continued  with  the  addi- 
tion of  about  three  drachms  of  saffron,  avoiding  at 
present  all  hotter  medicines :  the  following  clyster  may 


94  THE    NEW    POCKET   FARRIER. 

likewise  be  given,  every  day  or  oftener,  if  there  should 
be  occasion,  particularly  if  his  dung  be  hard  and  dry : 

Take  marshmallow  leaves,  two  handfuls,  half  as 
many  chamonnile  flowers,  and  fennel  seed,  an  ounce ; 
boil  the  ingredients  in  three  quarts  of  water,  till  it  comes 
to  about  two,  then  strain  it  off,  and  add  four  ounces  of 
honey  or  treacle,  and  a  pint  of  linseed  oil. 

Two  quarts  of  water-gruel,  or  fat  broth,  with  the 
treacle  and  oils  may  be  substituted  in  the  place  of  the 
above,  to  which  a  handful  of  salt  may  be  added,  and 
these  sort  of  clysters  are  much  more  proper  in  such 
cases,  than  those  which  consist  of  strong  cathartic  in- 
gredients. The  following  opening  drink  is  sometimes 
very  effectual,  and  may  be  given  every  other  day,  when 
the  clyster  should  be  omitted  : 

Take  cream  of  tartar  and  glauber's  salts,  of  each 
four  ounces,  dissolve  them  in  barley-water  or  gruel ;  an 
ounce  or  two  of  the  lenitive  electuary,  or  a  drachm  of 
jalap  in  powder,  may  be  added  to  quicken  the  operation, 
where  the  case  is  urgent. 

The  diet  should  be  very  regular,  and  no  kind  of  corn 
should  be  given,  but  let  scalded  or  raw  bran  sprinkled 
with  water  be  the  principal  food,  with  now  and  then  a 
little  hay,  which  should  be  picked  and  given  out  of  the 
hand,  if  the  horse  cannot  lift  his  head  to  the  rack,  as  is 
frequently  the  case.  After  he  has  been  treated  in  this 
manner  for  about  a  week,  and  the  fever  begins  to  go  off, 
he  may  have  a  cordial  ball  given  him  once  or  twice  a 
day,  with  an  infusion  of  liquorice  root  sweetened  with 
honey,  to  which  may  be  added  (when  he  is  troubled 
with  tough  phlegm,  or  a  dry  husky  cough)  a  few  ounces 
of  salad  oil,  and  syrup  or  oxymel  of  squills. 

There  is  every  reason  to  expect  that  a  speedy  reco- 
very will  be  effected  when  the  fever  is  found  to  abate, 
the  mouth  to  be  less  parched,  and  the  grating  of  the 
teeth  but  little  he^.rd  ;  when  the  horse  begins  to  eat,  and 


THE    NEW   POCKET    FARRIER.  95 

lay  himself  down,  when  his  skin  feels  kindly,  and  his 
eyes  appear  lively.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  ap- 
petite gets  no  better,  or  if  worse,  and  the  heat  continues 
to  increase,  the  case  is  dangerous.  Sometimes  there  is 
a  running  at  the  nose,  which  is  generally  of  a  reddish 
or  greenish  dusky  colour,  and  a  clammy  consistence, 
sticking  to  the  Jiairs  within  the  nostrils.  Now,  whenever 
this  running  becomes  clear  and  watery  it  is  a  good  sign, 
but  if  it  continue  thus  tough  and  ill  coloured,  the  horse 
at  the  same  time  sneezing  frequently,  his  flesh  continu- 
ing flabby,  and  he  feeling  hide  bound,  or  if  his  weak- 
ness increases,  and  the  joints  swell,  the  kernels  under 
the  jaws  feeling  loose,  though  they  are  swelled,  or  if  the 
tail  is  lifted  up  with  a  kind  of  convulsive  quivering  mo- 
tion, you  may  conclude  that  death  will  soon  step  in  to 
his  relief. 

Intermitting  fevers  will  rarely  admit  of  bleeding,  at 
least  the  quantity  of  vital  fluid  taken  away  should  not 
be  great ;  the  best  way  of  attempting  the  cure  being  to 
give  an  ounce  of  Peruvian  bark  in  fine  powder  every 
fourth  hour  during  the  absence  of  the  fever,  and  should 
that  run  oflT  with  a  purging,  a  little  diascordium,  or  other 
gentle  astringent  may  be  added  to  prevent  that  effect. 
In  case  of  any  other  fever's  coming  to  intermit  regu- 
larly, it  may  be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  though  it 
had  been  a  regular  intermittent  from  the  beginning. 

The  low,  or  putrid  kind  of  fever,  seldom  admits  of 
bleeding;  but  if  from  any  symptoms  that  appear  at  the 
time,  it  should  be  thought  necessary,  the  utmost  caution 
and  circumspection  should  be  used,  as  the  symptoms 
which  seem  to  call  for  this  evacuation  will  soon  subside, 
from  the  nature  of  the  disease  itself.  However,  if  the 
horse  is  young  and  vigorous,  and  his  vessels  appear 
filled  with  rich  dense  blood,  a  little  may  with  propriety 
be  taken  away  in  the  beginning  of  the  disease. 


96  THE    NEW    POCKET    FARRIER. 

Whether  or  not  it  is  thought  necessary  to  take  away 
blood  in  the  beginning  of  epidemical  and  contagious 
fevers,  the  following  cordial  saline  mixture  should  be 
given  as  soon  as  the  disorder  manifests  itself  to  be  of 
that  description  ; 

Take  mindererus's  spirit  four  ounces,  camphorated 
julap  a  pint,' Virginian  snake-root,  half  an  ounce,  and 
saffron  reduced  small,  three  drachms,  to  which  add  a 
pint  of  weak  cinnamon,  water,  and  give  half  of  it  night 
and  morning. 

If,  notwithstanding  the  use  of  this  medicine,  his  com- 
plaint appears  to  gain  ground,  let  the  following  cordial 
ball  be  added  to  each  dose  of  the  mixture : 

Take  bark  finely  powdered,  an  ounce,  Virginian 
snake-root  half  an  ounce,  camphor  a  drachm,  and  with  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  honey  make  a  ball. 

If  the  horse  is  costive,  laxative  clysters  should  now 
and  then  be  given,  or  in  their  stead  some  gentle  purges, 
to  clear  the  bowels  from  any  putrid  matter  that  might 
lodge  there  and  feed  the  disease:  but  if  a  purging  comes 
on,  and  seems  to  weaken  him  much,  it  must  be  checked 
with  opiates,  and  gentle  astringents ;  though,  if  it  is 
moderate,  it  may  as  well  be  let  alone,  such  gentle  evac- 
uations being  frequently  efforts  of  nature  to  carry  off 
the  disease.  Many  more  prescriptions  for  fevers  might 
have  been  selected  from  various  authors,  for  the  cure  of 
fevers,  but  the  above  seem  to  be  the  best  adapted  for  the 
purpose :  where  the  methods  here  recommended  fail,  or 
where  any  other  ingredient  is  thought  necessary,  the 
judicious  practitioner  will  find  a  variety  of  drugs  de- 
scribed in  the  course  of  the  work,  and  their  natures  and 
properties  explained,  so  that  he  may  vary  his  medicines 
in  such  a  manner  as  circumstances  may  require,  and 
indeed  every  practitioner  that  pays  a  proper  regard  to 
the  subject,  will  find  such  a  method  of  proceeding  fre- 
quently necessary :  nothing  being  a  more  positive  proof 


THE    I?EW   POCKET    FARRIEK.  97 

of  ignorance  and  stupidity,  than  to  suppose  the  same 
disorder  will,  in  different  constitutions,  always  submit  to 
the  same  mode  of  treatment. 

The  following  fever  powders  are  used:  1.  Two 
drachms  of  tartar  emetic  and  five  drachms  of  nitre. — 
2.  Two  drachms  of  antimonial  powder,  and  four  drachms 
each  of  cream  of  tartar  and  nitre. 

The  following  fever  drink  can  be  recommended  :  one 
oz.  spirits  of  nitre,  six  oz.  minderus  spirit,  and  four  oz. 
of  water. 

SWELLED  NECK.-^CURE. 

If  a  farrier,  in  bleeding,  miss  the  vein,  do  not  let  him 
strike  his  fleam  a  second  time  into  the  same  place  ;  be- 
cause it  sometimes  makes  the  neck  swell,  and  proves 
troublesome  to  cure ;  and  as  the  extravasated  blood  in- 
fallibly makes  the  neck  swell,  and  the  jugular  vein  rot 
quite  away  from  the  orifice  up  to  the  jaw-bone,  and 
downward  almost  to  the  shoulder,  (which  may  prove  the 
loss  of  your  horse ;)  he  should  take  care,  in  the  pinning, 
that  he  leaves  not  a  drop  of  blood  between  the  flesh  and 
the  skin. 

Note. — The  nearer  the  throat  you  bleed  him,  the  bet- 
ter. The  vein  is  not  so  apt  to  swell  into  a  knot,  as  if 
bled  lower. 

The  turnip  poultice  makes  the  best  cure ;  but  if  the 
neck  should  happen  to  be  extremely  bad  and  a  tumour 
should  form,  when  you  feel  matter  fluctuate  under  your 
finger,  it  is  best  to  open  it  and  give  a  free  discharge,  and 
dress  it  with  the  horse-ointment,  keeping  the  neck  ele- 
vated. 

A  horse  after  bleeding  should  not  eat  hay  for  half  a 
day,  lest  the  motion  of  the  muscles  should  bring  on  an 
inflammation  and  swelling. 
9 


98  THE   NEW    POCKET   FAKRIER. 

DOCKING. 

It  seldom  happens  that  we  dock  a  horse  upon  a 
journey,  but  permit  me  to  give  a  caution  on  that  subject 
here.  In  docking  a  horse,  never  put  under  his  tail  the 
knife  or  instrument  which  is  to  cut  it  off;  because  then 
you  must  strike  the  tail,  which  will  bruise  it,  and  it  will 
be  apt  to  mortify ;  but  lay  his  tail  next  the  block,  and 
(at  one  blow)  drive  the  knife  through  a  joint,  if  possible; 
stand  prepared  with  a  hot  iron  to  sear  the  end  of  the 
dock  and  stop  the  bleeding. 

FLIES— HOW  TO  KEEP  THEM  OFF. 

Rub  your  horse  every  morning  with  walnut  leaves :  it 
is  certain  to  secure  them  from  fli(^s  and  other  insects. 


I  have  now  mentioned  most  of  the  common  accidents, 
and  have  taken  care,  that  under  some  of  those  heads, 
you  may  find  a  great  deal  of  help  by  the  analogy  they 
have  to  one  another :  and  having  added  more  than  is 
necessary  on  a  journey,  I  beg  leave  to  end. 

There  is  no  drug  or  composition  put  in  here,  but  what 
is  very  cheap,  and  may  be  had  almost  in  every  country 
village  you  travel  through;  so  I  hope  I  have  left  no 
difficulty  on  any  body.  But  if  I  should  be  condemned 
by  some,  for  presuming  to  leave  the  beaten  paths  of  all 
the  well  known  authors  that  wrote  before  me,  how  could 
I  answer  to  others,  had  I  neglected  an  improvement 
which  may  tufn  to  the  general  good  of  man  and  beast? 

I  have  read  all  I  could  find,  and  have  tried  their 
receipts  with  great  attention  and  expense ;  and  can  say, 
it  was  experience  alone  that  led  me  into  the  knowledge 
of  contracting  overgrown  receipts,  hastening  cures,  and 
moderating  costs. 


OF  THE  MANAGEMENT  OF  COWS 

BEFORE,  DURING,  AND  AFTER 

CALVING. 

Breeding  is  an  important  process  in  the  animal  eco- 
nomy ;  and  in  most  of  the  domestic  animals  it  is  en- 
couraged by  mankind  as  a  source  of  profit.  To  none 
can  this  remark  be  more  applicable  than  to  the  cow  ; 
for  not  only  does  she  produce  an  offspring  whose  worth 
is  a  matter  of  consequence ;  but  she  also  continues  to 
enrich  her  keeper  by  abundantly  yielding  her  rich  lac- 
tiferous store — converted  by  his  interest  from  being  the 
source  of  nourishment  to  her  progeny  into  a  source  ot 
profit  to  himself. 

This  same  feeling,  of  making  the  most  of  the  ani- 
mals in  his  possession,  oflen  urges  the  inconsiderate 
owner  to  attempt  to  outstrip,  or  rather,  to  force  nature ; 
but  the  attempt  in  such  case  recoils  on  himself — for  in- 
stead of  obtaining'  the  daily  golden  egg,  he  too  oflen 
finds  his  premature  haste  has  destroyed  his  bird,  eggs 
and  all. 

These  remarks  apply  with  greatest  force  to  those 
inconsiderate  persons  who,  anxious  to  anticipate  their 
most  sanguine  hopes,  injure  their  stock  by  putting  their 
heifers  prematurely  to  breed,  and  who,  did  they  but 
endure  another  season  of  necessary  delay,  would  give 
time  for  nature  to  perfect  her  work  of  maturity,  and 
ensure  a  healthy  offspring;  but  those  persons,  by  an 
injurious  and  injudicious  haste,  destroy  the  stamina  of 


100  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

the  animal's  constitution,  entail  a' feeble  and  unhealthy- 
issue,  exhaust  the  powers  of  the  devoted  animal,  and 
not  only  shorten  her  life,  but  occasion  many  and  seri- 
ous disorders. 

Heifers  should  not  on  any  account  be  put  to  bull 
before  they  have  passed  the  second  year  of  their  exis- 
tence ;  indeed  if  three  years  be  allowed,  the  much 
better  condition  of  the  calves  will  amply  repay  the  one 
year's  delay.  Cows  may  be  expected  to  produce  a 
calf  every  year,  but  if  an  occasional  year  be  allowed 
to  pass  without  their  breeding,  it  will  much  improve 
their  condition  ;  as  over  breeding,  like  over  working, 
exhausts  the  powers  of  the  animal's  constitution.  The 
general  rule  with  regard  to  milch  cows,  is,  not  to  put 
them  again  to  bull  before  they  cease  to  give  milk ; 
cows  that  are  not  in  calf  are  generally  in  heat  every 
three  weeks ;  at  which  time,  and  at  the  moment  they 
are  most  in  heat  they  should  be  put  to  the  bull,  as  they 
will  conceive  more  readily.  There  are  cows  which 
continue  in  heat  only  a  very  short  time:  with  such 
this  attention  is  the  more  necessary.  They  are  known 
to  be  in  heat  by  the  following  signs ;  they  are  con- 
tinually lowing,  and  mounting  each  other,  or  upon  the 
bull ;  they  are  restless,  and  often  running  about ;  there 
is  also  an  elevation  of  the  tail,  a  swelling  of  the  gen- 
ital parts,  and  a  slight  discharge  of  white  glairy  mat- 
ter from  the  shape.  After  they  have  taken  the  bull, 
they  should  be  taken  away,  and  not  brought  to  him 
again,  unless  they  are  again  in  heat. 

There  are  cows  that  never  conceive,  but  yet  con- 
tinue to  be  in  heat  about  every  third  week  ;  and  it  has 
been  observed,  that  weak,  flat  sided  cows,  or  such  as 
are  consumptively  disposed,  are  often  in  heat  again, 
after  being  bulled.  Various  reasons  may  be  assigned 
to  account  for  these  circumstances ;  but  as  they  arc 


AND    CATTLE   DOCTOR.  101 

rather  hypothetical  than  practical,  we  shall  merely 
observe  what  experience  has  proved,  that  cows  which 
are  kept  from  breeding  for  several  years  sometimes 
fall  into  a  consumption ;  and  become  thereby  ever 
afterwards  incapable  of  producing  issue,  although  more 
and  oflener  inclined  to  receive  the  bull. 

The  cow  goes  nine  months  with  calf;  some  give 
milk  during  the  whole  time ;  others  lose  it  about  the 
seventh  or  eighth  month:  it  is,  however,  adviseable, 
as  a  general  rule,  to  cease  to  milk  them  at  seven 
months,  unless  the  udder  should  swell ;  in  this  case 
only  half  the  quantity  in  the  udder  should  be  drawn 
off,  and  that  more  from  relief  to  the  animal  than  from 
any  service  to  which  the  milk  can  be  applied ;  as  it  is 
now  of  little  value,  and  necessary  to  the  nourishment 
of  the  foetal  calf. 

Cows  that  are  with  calf  should  be  kept  in  fields 
where  the  ground  is  nearly  level,  and  where  there  are 
no  large  ditches  ;  as  abortion  is  often  a  consequence  of 
their  leaping  over  ditches,  or  slipping  on  very  hilly  or 
steep  ground,  when  driven  into  the  stable  at  the  time 
the  fields  are  laid  up,  or  in  situations  where  it  is  neces- 
sary to  employ  dogs  to  keep  them. 

Pregnant  cows,  and  especially  such  as  are  near  calv- 
ing, ought  to  be  fed  with  better  and  more  substantial 
food  than  usual.  Grain  of  any  kind  is  now  useful, 
but  it  must  he  bruised^  or  crushed;  barley  and  oats  are 
the  best  kinds.  Some  good  soft  fragrant  hay  of  the 
second  crop,  or  skimmings,  should  be  reserved  for  this 
purpose. 

When  pregnant  cows  are  kept  together  in  the  same 
pasture,  they  should  be  carefully  watched,  as  they  are 
very  apt  to  quarrel  and  hurt  each  other,  and  even  to 
cause  warping  or  slipping  the  calf. 

Cows  are  more  liable  to  abortion  than  any  other  do- 
9* 


102  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER       * 

mestic  animal ;  perhaps  this  may  result,  in  a  great 
measure,  from  the  want  of  exercise,  the  great  size  of 
the  rumen,  or  first  stomach,  and  the  hardness  of  the 
third ;  it  is  also  sometimes  caused  by  the  stomach  being 
too  much  distended  with  improper  food  ;  straw  and  bad 
hay  being  very  injurious,  and,  if  not  always  the  cause 
of  abortion,  is  generally  productive  of  difficult  labour. 
Impure  or  unwholesome  water,  fog-grass,  coarse  tough 
grass  in  wet  situations,  too  much  exposure  to  cold  and 
wet,  fighting  with  each  other,  and  leaping  over  emi- 
nences or  ditches,  are  all  likely  to  produce  abortion : 
too  much  care  cannot,  therefore,  be  used  in  looking 
after  pregnant  cows,  in  order  to  secure  them  against 
either  of  these  accidents.  Above  ail,  give  them  suffi- 
cient gentle  exercise,  treat  them  kindly  and  soothingly, 
and  feed  them  with  food  that  is  easy  of  digestion,  and 
which  contains  a  good  deal  of  nutriment  in  a  small 
bulk ;  giving  it  them  a  little  at  a  time,  and  that  little, 
often.  Straw,  chaff",  and  bad  hay,  afford  but  little 
nourishment,  load  the  stomach  and  bowels,  impede  the 
gradual  growth  of  the  calf  in  the  womb;  and  when 
the  calf  has  acquired  a  moderate  size,  the  pressure  of 
a  loaded  stomach  causes  its  death,  and  sometimes  en- 
dangers the  life  of  the  mother  also. 

The  approach  of  calving  is  known  by  the  cow  bel- 
lowing, the  enlargement  of  the  udder,  the  restlessness 
of  the  animal,  and  the  falling  of  the  flank  and  croup. 
The  cow  should  then  be  constantly  watched,  that  she 
may  have  assistance,  if  necessary,  at  tKe  time  of 
calving. 

The  most  common  manner  in  which  the  calf  comes 
forth  from  the  womb,  or  the  natural  presentation,  as 
it  is  termed,  is  with  the  head  and  two  fore-feet  fore- 
most. From  the  causes  before  noticed,  however,  this 
natural  presentation  is  often  changed ;  sometimes  the 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  103 

hind  legs  and  tail  present :  in  either  of  these  cases 
the  calving  may  take  place  without  assistance.  But 
if  only  a  single  leg  present  itself,  or  the  head  only, 
or  any  other  single  part,  the  cow  should  not  be  left 
to  her  own  unavailing  efforts  to  expel  the  calf,  but 
the  veterinary  surgeon  or  experienced  dairyman  should 
be  immediately  called  in,  to  give  the  necessary  assist- 
ance. 

Never,  however,  be  in  too  much  haste  in  affording 
manual  assistance  for  the  delivery,  as  there  is  oflea 
mischief  done  by  violent  and  ill-timed  interference. 
Violence  of  any  kind  should  indeed  always  be  avoided  : 
when  the  presentation  is  natural,  the  efforts  of  nature 
and  the  labour  pains  are  generally  sufficient  for  the 
expulsion  of  the  calf;  and  where  unnatural,  more 
effectual  service  is  rendered  by  care  and  prompt  assist- 
ance than  any  kind  of  violence  can  afford.  Besides, 
violent  efforts  of  extraction  often  prove  fatal  to  the  cow, 
or  cause  a  prolapsus,  or  falling  down  of  the  womb,  and 
is  infallibly  fatal  to  the  calf.  When  the  calf-bladder 
appears,  it  should  be  sufficient  to  break  it,  and  let  the 
water  flow  out  of  its  own  accord ;  and  then  the  only 
assistance  proper  is,  to  draw  the  calf  very  gently  at 
those  times  that  the  labour  pains  are  observed  to  be 
on,  hut  at  no  otfier  period. 

It  is  of  importance,  also,  to  abstain  from  giving  the 
cow  any  kind  of  heating  drench,  such  as  wine  with 
sugar  and  nutmeg,  which  are  often  given  to  hasten  the 
discharge  of  the  after-birth;  but  which  rather  retard 
it  by  the  irritation  they  excite  :  drenches  should  only 
be  given  when  the  animal  appears  very  enfeebled,  and 
then  only  by  the  advice  of  a  competent  judge. 

If  the  labour  be  tedious,  and  continue  for  some  time, 
unaccompanied  with  any  other  more  unfavourable 
symptoms,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  give  small  quantities 


104  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

of  nourishing  food,  such  as  oatmeal  gruel,  warm,  and 
a  little  salted.  Take  care  that  there  be  an  ample  al- 
lowance of  litter,  that  the  calf  may  not  hurt  itself  in 
faUing,  for  cows  almost  always  calve  standing.  Calv- 
ing often  happens  in  winter ;  it  is  then  necessary  to 
cover  the  cows,  and  not  let  them  go  out  for  some 
days,  and  especially  not  to  expose  them  to  cold  and 
rain. 

Cows  being  in  a  good  condition  during  the  period 
they  are  with  calf,  may  be  considered  as  a  presage  of 
a  fortunate  delivery ;  it  also  indicates  good  manage- 
ment on  the  part '  of  the  proprietor,  and  renders  any 
particular  assistance  seldom  necessary.  By  good  con- 
dition, we  do  not  mean  full  of  flesh,  by  feeding  to  sa- 
tiety ;  on  the  contrary,  we  mean  that  healthful  habit 
which  invariably  results  from  giving  them  a  proper 
quantity  of  good  food,  such  as  is  m«st  easy  of  diges- 
tion, and  which  contains  a  sufficiency  of  nutriment  in 
a  small  compass,  and  by  allowing  or  gently  urging 
them  to  moderate  exercise. 

Immediately  after  calving,  the  cow  should  have  a 
little  warm  wafer,  in  which  a  few  handfuls  of  meal 
have  been  stirred ;  when  the  thirst  is  considerable, 
which  is  often  the  case,  a  little  more  of  this  thin  gruel 
should  be  given  in  half  an  hoi»,r,  and  repeated  from 
time  to  time,  taking  care  not  to  load  the  stomach. 

It  is  a  common  practice,  as  soon  as  cows  are  deliver- 
ed, and  the  umbilical  cord,  or  naval-string  is  broken, 
to  attach  a  small  weight  to  it,  to  prevent  its  return  into 
the  womb.  Though  this  is,  perhaps,  seldom  neces- 
sary, it  may,  nevertheless,  sometimes  facihtate  the  ex- 
pulsion of  the  after-birth,  and  prevent  its  being  retained 
too  long.  It  may,  therefore,  be  done,  especially  in 
feeble  cows,  which,  when  exhausted  by  calving,  make 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  105 

but  weak  efforts  for  the  expulsion  of  the  after-birth  or 
cleansings. 

The  after-birth,  or  'placenta^  is  a  large  bladder  which 
encloses  the  calf  in  the  womb  ;  and  being  a  body  for- 
eign, after  delivery,  to  the  cow  herself,  it  cannot  re- 
main without  the  most  serious  consequences  to  her.  A 
quick  expulsion  of  the  after-birth,  however,  although 
very  desirable,  is  not  an  essential  condition  of  a  good 
or  natural  calving.  In  general,  when  cows  go  their 
full  natural  time,  and  the  delivery  happens  without 
accident,  the  after-birth  comes  away  with  scarcely  any 
effort  of  the  cow,  in  about  from  two  to  fifteen  hours, 
more  or  less.  These  efforts  are  not  always  the  same ; 
they  resemble  labour  pains  in  some  measure,  being 
weak  at  first,  then  gradually  increasing,  becoming 
longer  and  more  considerable ;  at  last  a  more  violent 
and  prolonged  effort  than  those  preceding  accomplishes 
the  discharge,  or  cleansing,  as  it  is  termed. 

When  the  animal  is  in  health,  the  cleansing  should 
be  left  entirely  to  nature ;  and  on  no  account^  with- 
out  the  most  positive  advice^  and  that  of  an  experi- 
enced person^  should  the  hand  he  introduced^  in  order 
to  hasten  tJie  discharge.  Cases  might  be  enumerated, 
where  days,  even  a  week,  have  passed,  without  the 
cleansing  being  expelle<1,  and  not  the  least  danger  re- 
sult to  the  animal ;  notwithstanding  that  in  the  latter 
instance,  the  proprietor  used  the  most  earnest  entrea- 
ties, that  the  veterinary  surgeon  who  attended  should 
draw  it  off.  It  is  sufficient  to  pull  the  umbilical  cord 
which  hangs  out  of  the  part,  gently,  whe?iever  there  is 
a  labour  pain,  but  not  to  continue  to  draw  it  after  the 
pain  has  ceased  ;  and  the  force  with  which  it  is  drawn 
should  accord  with,  or  be  in  proportion  to,  the  effort 
which  the  animal  makes :  if  it  is  too  weak,  it  will  be 
of  no  use,  and  if  too  violent,  there  is  danger  of  break- 


106  EVEKY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

ing  the  cord,  and  losing  this  resource  for  assisting  na- 
ture in  the  discharge  of  the  after-birth,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  it  tends  to  weaken  the  cow.  It  is  only 
when  the  animal  appears  ill  and  depressed,  and  when 
the  natural  efforts  are  evidently  insufficient,  that  it 
becomes  necessary  to  introduce  the  hand  for  the  pur- 
pose of  drawing  off  the  after-birth ;  but  this  must,  be 
done  with  great  care^  and  should  not  be  attempted  ex- 
cept by  an  experienced  person. 

It  is  improper  to  administer  any  heating  drench, 
such  as  that  composed  of  urine,  wine,  savin,  and  rue, 
(given  as  cleansing  drenches,)  by  some  ignorant  peo- 
ple, as  they  often  excite  fever  and  inflammation  of  the 
uterus ;  there  are  very  few  cases  indeed  in  which  it  is 
at  all  safe  to  give  them,  nor  should  such  ever  be  em- 
ployed except  when  prescribed  by  an  experienced 
veterinary  practitioner.  Inflammatory  affections  of 
the  intestines  and  womb,  are  invariably  the  result  of 
such  bad  management  in  or  after  calving ;  and  if  we 
would  prevent  these,  we  must  be  content  to  follow 
nature  and  reason,  and  not  be  always  striving  to  force 
the  one,  and  outrage  the  other. 

Gentle  walking  exercise,  when  the  weather  is  fa- 
vourable, often  repeated  j  and  brushing  the  body,  es- 
pecially the  loins  and  under  the  belly,  with  a  whisp 
of  hay  or  straw,  or  a  piece  of  cloth,  will  promote  the 
expulsion  of  the  after-birth. 

When  cows  are  weak,  or  too  long  in  cleansing,  the 
only  thing  to  be  given  is  toast  and  weak  wine,  good 
cider,  or  perry.  If  wine  be  preferred,  mix  it  with  an 
equal  quantity  of  water.  This  toast  should  consist  of 
four  pints  of  wine  and  water,  and  about  a  pound  and  a 
half  of  bread  toasted :  cows  generally  eat  this  freely : 
an  infusion  of  two  handsful  of  camomile  flovvers  in 
two  quarts  of  water,  with  the  addition  of  half  a  pint 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  107 

of  wine,  if  there  appear  to  be  occasion  for  it,  and 
given  as  a  drink  every  two  or  three  hours,  is  sometimes 
given  with  success.  Some  hours  after,  half  a  pailful 
of  warm  water  with  a  little  meal  or  fine  bran  stirred 
into  it.  This  blanchech  water,  as  it  is  termed,  should 
be  continued  for  five  or  six  days,  and  if  the  cow  be 
very  weak,  and  there  is  great  difficulty  in  restoring 
her,  the  wine  or  cider  toast  may  be  given  for  a  few 
days. 

It  is  necessary,  also,  in  such  cases,  to  administer 
clysters,  daily,  of  red  wine  and  water,  or  of  an  infu- 
sion of  camomile  flowers  in  water.  And  some  of  the 
same  liquor  may  be  injected  into  the  womb.  These 
clysters  and  injections  give  that  tone  or  strength  to  the 
uterus,  and  parts  connected  with  it,  which  is  required 
for  the  expulsion  of  the  after-birth. 

It  is  of  importance  not  to  confound  the  weakness 
which  is  the  consequence  of  the  exhaustion  of  vital 
power  or  strength  with  that  which  results  from  oppres- 
sion only.  In  the  former  case,  all  the  external  parts 
are  relaxed  and  cold ;  the  eyes  are  pale,  there  is  but 
little  heat  in  the  mouth  and  vagina ;  the  muzzle  is 
cold  and  moist,  the  pulse  small  and  weak,  and  the  res- 
piration slow ;  in  this  case,  the  strengthening  toast 
and  wine  beforementioned  is  necessary ;  but  in  the 
second  case,  on  the  contrary,  the  breath  from  the 
mouth  and  nostrils  is  hot ;  the  eyes  are  red  and  rather 
fierce ;  the  mouth  hot,  dry,  and  parched  ;  the  muzzle 
dry  ;  the  thirst  excessive  ;  breathing  very  quick  ;  the 
vagina  red  and  inflamed;  the  skin  dry  and  tight;  the 
pulse  hard  and  quick ;  this  is  a  real  inflammatory 
fever,  which  can  only  be  subdued  by  bleeding,  cooling 
drinks  with  nitre,  acidulated  drinks  with  honey,  and 
by  emollient  clysters.  These  are  the  only  means  that 
can^be  employed  under  such  circumstances  to  promote 


108  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

the  discharge  of  the  after-birth.  Some  persons  suffer 
the  cow  to  eat  the  after-birth:  this  we  consider  an  ab- 
surd custom,  and  best  prevented.  • 

It  sometimes,  but  very  rarely  happens,  that  cows 
have  two  calves,  which  they  do  not  bring  forth  at  the 
same  time,  but  after  some  interval.  After  the  first  is 
born,  it  may  be  known  that  another  is  in  the  womb, 
by  the  cow  continuing  very  restless  or  agitated,  look- 
ing continually  round  to  her  flanks,  having  labour 
pains,  and  appearing  to  pay  little  or  no  attention  to  the 
calf  already  born.  If  she  continue  a  considerable 
time  in  this  state,  it  will  be  necessary  to  assist  nature 
by  giving  the  animal  a  pint  of  strong  warm  ale ;  and 
by  irritating  the  nostrils  with  a  pinch  of  snuff,  or  by 
tickling,  so  as  to  excite  sneezing.  If  those  means  fail, 
the  veterinary  surgeon  should  be  called  in. 

It  sometimes  happens  that  toward  the  latter  end  of 
gestation,  or  immediately  after  calving,  the  vagina 
comes  out,  and  sometimes  the  womb  follows  it ;  this 
is  generally  caused  by  using  improper  force  in  ex- 
tracting the  calf,  or  after-birih.  In  this  case,  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  call  in  the  aid  of  a  person  who  has  been 
accustomed  to  put  back  the  parts ;  as  it  is  an  opera- 
tion not  easily  performed  by  an  inexperienced  person. 
When  the  vagina  only  comes  out,  it  will  generally  be 
sufficient  to  raise  the  hind  part  of  the  cow  considerably, 
by  means  of  litter,  or  otherwise,  and  keep  the  foreparts 
as  low  as  they  can  be. 

HOW  TO  EXTRACT  A  CALF  WHEN  IT  PRE- 
SENTS  IN  A  WRONG  POSITION. 


Farmers  and  dairymen,  or  other  persons  who  have 
the  care  of  milch  cows,  ought  to  be  well  acquainted 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR,  109 

with  the  manner  in  which  a  calf  should  present  itself, 
when  in  a  natural  or  proper  position. 

When  the  calf  is  presented  with  the  head  and  fore- 
feet first,  and  its  back  towards  the  cow's  back,  it  is 
termed  a  natural  position ;  all  others  are  unnatural,  and 
are  attended  with  more  or  less  danger  both  to  the  cow 
and  the  calf,  unless  immediate  and  skilful  assistance  be 
rendered. 

Sometimes,  however,  this  assistance  may  not  be  at 
hand  when  wanted.  In  this  case  the  best  that  can  be 
obtained  must  be  resorted  to.  We  shall,  therefore, 
give  a  few  of  the  most  common  wrong  positions,  with 
directions  how  best  to  avert  any  danger  therefrom. 

1. — When  the  waters  are  broke,  and  only  tJie  Jwad 
and  one  foot  presejited,  lay  hold  of  the  calf's  head,  and 
wait  till  the  throes  are  off,  then  gently  push  it  back, 
and  rectify  the  other  foot :  It  may  be  then  extracted 
without  danger. 

2. — IftJw  head  only  present  itself,  and  both  feet  are 
left  behind, — the  head  must  as  in  the  former  case  be 
pushed  back  with  a  gentle  hand  as  soon  as  the  throes 
are  off,  and  the  feet  properly  placed  with  the  utmost 
care,  or  you  will  wound  and  tear  the  arteries. 

3 — If  all  tJie  four  feet  be  turned  luhere  tJie  back  ought 
to  be,  towards  tJie  top  of  tJie  uterus,  in  this  situation  it 
will  be  impossible  to  extract  the  calf  until  it  be  put  in 
a  proper  position.  The  hind  parts  of  the  cow  must 
be  raised  with  straw,  or  with  bags  of  that  or  other 
soft  material  that  is  soft  and  easy  to  lie  on,  and  pro- 
perly placed  under  her.  By  this  means  the  person 
will  be  very  much  assisted  in  putting  the  calf  in  a 
suitable  posture  for  extraction ;  afterwards  wait  the 
return  of  the  cow's  throes,  and  then  give  nature  your 
best  assistance.  In  operations  of  these  kinds,  every 
tiding  depends  upon  the  management  and  activity  of  the 
10 


110  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

person  employed  in  pulling  the  beast  in  a  favourable 
position. 

4. — Wlien  the  hind  legs  makes  the  first  appear- 
ance,— it  will  be  found  better  to  extract  the  calf  in 
this  position,  with  care,  than  to  attempt  to  turn  them. 
•  5. —  TJie  shoulder  sometimes  first  presents  itself . — 
This  is  a  difficult  case,  and  requires  the  hand  to  be  in- 
troduced in  search  for  the  fore  legs :  or  the  hind  legs 
may  be  brought  forward,  if  they  appear  most  conveni- 
ently placed :  but  this  must  be  left  to  the  care  and 
judgment  of  the  party  employed. 

These  are  the  most  usual  cases  of  unnatural  presen- 
tations :  and  may,  with  care  and  a  little  experience,  be 
surmounted ;  but  when  tJie  calf  is  dropsical  in  the 
head,  which  may  be  known  by  the  largeness  of  that 
part,  and  the  wasting  away  of  the  others,  or  if  it  be 
dead,  instrumental  aid  will  then  be  necessary,  and 
prompt  and  experienced  assistance  must  be  obtained  : 
it  will  be  worse  than  useless,  therefore,  to  give  any 
directions  in  cases  where  the  slightest  error  would  be 
fatal,  and  where  no  other  aid  than  that  of  the  most 
experienced  veterinary  surgeon  can  be  of  the  slightest 
avail. 

HOW  TO  TREAT  THE  NAVAL  STRING 
AFTER  EXTRACTION. 

When  the  calf  is  taken  from  the  cow,  and  been  pro- 
perly cleaned,  either  by  the  animal  licking  it,  or  with 
a  clean  linen  cloth,  let  the  umbilical  cord  or  naval 
string  be  properly  secured,  with  a  ligature  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner : — 

Tie  a  waxed  thread  of  several  thicknesses,  several 
times  round  the  naval  string,  about  two  inches  from 
the  body ;  secure  it  with  a  double  knot,  then  take  a 


AND    CATTLE   DOCTOB.  Ill 

pair  of  scissors,  and  clip  it  off  a  little  below  the  tied 
part.  Be  careful  not  to  tie  the  thread  so  tightly,  that 
it  cut  the  naval  string,  or  it  will  cause  an  effusion  of 
blood  which  may  prove  difficult  to  stop,  and  perhaps 
endanger  the  life  of  the  young  animal.  If  the  ani- 
mal's strength  appear  exhausted,  the  following  restora- 
tive drink  will  be  found  servicable : 

RECIPE  No.  2. 

Peruvian  bark  in  powder,  2  drams  ; 

Ginger,  fresh  powdered,  2  drams  ; 

Mix,  and  give  it  in  half  a  pint  of  new  milk. 


THE  FALLING  DOWN  OF  THE  CALF-BED. 

This  is  a  complaint,  or  rather  an  accident,  of  fre- 
quent occurrence  among  cows,  at  the  time  of  calving, 
and  consists  in  the  calf-bed  being  turned  inside  out,  and 
falling  down.  It  frequently  proceeds  from  the  force 
employed  in  extracting  the  calf  in  laborious  parturi- 
tion and  drawing  away  the  cleansing  immediately 
afterwards,  before  the  womb  has  had  time  to  contract, 
or  lessen  itself. 

In  these  cases  it  will  be  proper  to  support  the  calf 
when  just  out  of  the  shape,  and  then  tie  the  naval 
string  a  few  inches  from  the  naval,  with  a  little  thick 
twine,  and  to  let  the  cleansing  be  subsequently  expelled 
by  the  throes  of  the  beast. 

We  would  advise  the  adoption  of  this  plan  \fi  labo- 
rious parturition,  where  no  manual  force  has  been 
used.  For  when  a  cow  has  once  had  this  complaint, 
she  is  always  liable,  at  any  future  period,  either  to 
slip  her  calf,  or  to  a  recurrence  of  the  accident. 

Cows  that  rise  considerably  on  the  small  of  the 


112  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

back,  in  the  form  of  a  curve,  and  begin  to  lower  to- 
wards the  tail,  with  the  hip,  rump,  and  sirloin  for  the 
most  part  straight,  are  the  most  liable  to  this  com- 
plaint. Cows  thus  formed  denote  great  weakness  in 
those  parts  ;  and,  without  great  care  and  proper  man- 
agement at  the  time  of  calving,  are  almost  sure  of 
having  this  complaint. 

By  observing  the  following  rules,  this  may,  gener- 
erally,  be  prevented. 

The  floor  or  pavement  of  the  cow-house  should  be 
made  level  at  the  time  of  calving  ;  and  it  will  be 
greatly  to  the  advantage  of  some  cows,  if  they  be 
placed  so  that  they  stand  higher  behind  than  before 
for  a  considerable  time  before  calving ;  as  that  posi- 
tion will  enable  them,  when  down,  to  rise  with  more 
ease,  and  with  less  danger  of  straining  themselves. 

If  the  falling-down  of  the  calf-bed  be  suspected,  the 
cow  ought  to  be  carefully  watched,  particularly  at  the 
time  of  calving,  and  it  should  be  prevented,  as  far  as 
possible,  by  the  means  above  mentioned. 

Treatment. — As  soon  as  the  falling  down  of  the 
calf-bed  takes  place,  care  should  be  taken  to  have  in 
readiness  a  clean  sheet  well-aired,  to  put  underneath 
and  around  the  calf-bed,  if  she  lay  down ;  or  to  sup- 
port it,  if  standing ;  and  likewise  to  protect  it  from 
particles  of  dirt,  or  straw  adhering  to  it,  as  also  from 
the  effects  of  air.  Then,  if  any  portion  of  the  cleans- 
ing adheres  to  the  womb,  it  must  be  removed  in  the 
gentlest  manner  possible,  lest  you  tear  the  calf-bed. 
Then  *bathe  the  exposed  parts  with  diluted  spirits  of 
wine,  or  any  kind  of  spirits  will  do,  if  they  can  be 
procured  almost  immediately  ;  if  not  it  will  signify 
very  little.  As  soon  as  the  parts  have  been  bathed, 
endeavour  to  return  them  to  their  natural  position  by 
the  method  folio  win  2  : 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  113 

The  calf- bed  is  to  be  raised,  and  the  person  who  re- 
places it  should  clinch  his  hand,  or  have  a  large  sponge 
in  it,  and  press  gradually  in  the  middle  part  of  the 
womb,  until  it  is  retm-ned  into  its  proper  situation.  He 
must  throw  it  forwards,  as  far  as  he  can  possibly 
reach,  and  turn  his  hand  round  to  feel  that  it  is  pro- 
perly replaced,  and  hold  it  there  for  some  time  ;  which 
will  stimulate  the  womb  to  contract,  and  prevent  it,  in 
in  a  great  measure,  from  falling  down  again. 

When  the  calf- bed  is  properly  replaced,  the  follow- 
ing strengthening  drink  may  be  given  to  the  animal, 
to  assist  her,  and  remove  those  violent  after  pains,  to 
which  cattle  in  this  state  are  particularly  liable. 

RECIPE  No.  3. 

Gentian,  fresh  powdered,          1  ounce ; 
White  ginger,     ditto,  1  ounce ; 

Aniseeds,  'ditto,  2  ounces ; 

Solid  opium,  cut  small,  1  dram ; 

Treacle,  4  table  spoonsful. 

Pour  a  quart  of  hot  ale  upon  the  ingredients,  in  a  pitcher  ;  and 
give  it  to  the  cow  when  new- milk  warm. 

This  drink  should  be  repeated  once  a  day,  or  every 
other  day,  for  two  or  three  times.  Warm  meshes,  and 
proper  management,  must  strictly  be  attended  to. 

ABORTION,  OR  SLIPPING  OF  THE  CALF. 

Abortion,  or  slinking  or  slipping  the  calf,  is  a  mis- 
fortune to  which  cows  are  particularly  subject,  in  the 
early  periods  of  gestation ;  and  occasions  not  only  a 
serious  loss  to  the  owner,  but  produces  a  weakness  in 
the  cow  herself,  which  is  often  injurious  to  her  con- 
stitution to  the  latest  period  of  her  existence. 

Some  few  of  the  causes  to  which  slipping  the  calf 
is  generally  attributable,  have  been  already  given ;  we 
10* 


114  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

shall  add  one  or  two  more,  equally  producive  of  this 
misfortune.  Cows  are  most  liable  to  slink  their 
calves  towards  the  latter  end  of  the  year,  while  feed- 
ing on  fog,  or  autumnal  grass,  or  on  low  marsh  and 
fenny  ground.  Tn  such  situations,  the  air  towards  the 
end  of  autumn  becomes  too  moist  for  the  right  per- 
formance of  the  animal  functions;  the  body  in  conse- 
quence becomes  relaxed  and  debilitated,  the  perspira- 
tion diminished,  and  the  blood  watery,  which  fre- 
quently produce  a  preternatural  determination  of  blood 
to  the  calf-bed,  that  impairs  the  healthy  actions  of  that 
organ,  and  occasions  abortion.  It  appears  to  originate, 
in  these  instances,  from  the  same  causes  as  the  red 
water  does  ;  only  in  the  one,  the  calf-bed  is  affected  ; 
in  the  other,  the  kidneys. 

At  other  times,  it  has  proceeded  from  the  smell  of 
carrion,  either  exposed  on  the  pasture,  or  buried  too 
slightly  in  the  earth.  The  sense  of  smelling  in  horned 
cattle  is  remarkably  acute  ;  any  very  disagreeable  scent 
annoys  them  sadly,  and,  if  it  be  not  removed,  will  pro- 
duce abortion. 

Treatment. — Cows  that  are  in  danger  of  slipping 
their  young,  should  be  taken  from  the  pasture  or  stable 
the  over  night,  and  from  two  to  three  or  four  quarts  of 
blood  should  be  taken  from  each  beast,  which,  unless 
the  weather  be  damp,  ought  to  stand  in  the  open  yard, 
or  open  shed,  till  next  morning:  then  give  the  follow- 
ing purging  drink : 

RECIPE  No.  4. 

Epsom  salts,  1  pound ; 

Nitre,  2  ounces ; 

Ginger  and  aniseeds,  in  powder,       1  ounce,  each ; 
Treacle  4  ounces. 

Pour  three  pints  of  boiling  water  upon  the  ingredients,  and  give 
when  neifr-milk  warm. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  115 

After  it  has  operated  give  her  the  following  : 

RECIPE  No.  5. 

Alum,  in  powder  4  ounces  ;    ^ 

Nitre,  1  ounce ; 

Grains  of  paradise,  and  aniseeds, 

fresh  powdered,  1  ounce  each  ; 

Solid  opium,  cut  small,  ^  a  dram  ; 

Treacle,  4  table  spoonsful. 

Mix  for  one  drink. 
Put  the  drink  in  a  pitcher,  and  pour  a  quart  of  boiling  water  on 
it;  cover  it  down  till  new-^nilk  warm,  and  then  give  it  the 
beast. 

Repeat  this  in  about  eight  or  ten  days,  and  there  is 
little  doubt  of  its  producing  the  desired  effect. 

Some  cows  are  constantly  a  bulling  every  two  or 
three  weeks,  during  summer ;  a  better  drink  cannot 
be  given  to  put  a  stop  to  this  than  No.  2,  and  also  to 
make  her  hold  to  the  bull.  It  should  be  given  to  her 
about  two  hours  after  bulling :  it  strengthens  and 
braces  the  parts  of  generation  :  if  she  be  in  good  con- 
dition, let  two  quarts  of  blood  be  taken  from  her. 

If  a  cow  should  slip  her  calf,  separate  her  immedi- 
ately from  the  herd,  or  she  may  possibly  affect  them ; 
and  give  her  the  following  drink : 

RECIPE  No.  6. 

Spermaceti,  2  ounces ; 

Spirits  of  turpentine,  1  ounce; 

The  yolk  of  one  egg. 
Beat  them  in  a  marble  mortar  till  well  incorporated;  then  add 
Grains  of  paradise,  and  carraway 

seeds,  fresh  powdered,  1  ounce,  each ; 

Treacle,  4  ounces. 

Mix  the  whole  in  a  quart  of  warm  gruel,  add  a  wine-glass  full 
of  gin,  and  give  it  new -milk  warm.  Repeat  this  drink  every 
third  day  for  about  three  times. 


116  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 


ON    THE 

MANAGEMENT  OF  YOUNG  CALVES, 

AND    THE 

TREATIIENT  OF  COWS  AFTER  DELIVERY. 

Care  should  be  taken  that  the  cow,  after  the  extrac- 
tion of  the  calf,  should  have  a  suitable  place  to  lie 
down  in  ;  and  one  that  will  also  easily  enable  her  to 
lick  her  calf,  which  not  only  the  better  excites  her  ma- 
ternal feelings,  but  the  friction  of  her  tongue  puts  the 
young  animal  in  motion,  and  enables  it  to  rise  much 
sooner  than  it  otherwise  would.  If  she  should  shew 
any  aversion  to  this  action,  which  she  should,  and 
generally  does  do,  very  shortly  after  calving,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  sprinkle  on  the  calf  a  little  salt,  rubbed 
up  with  crumb  of  bread,  or  bran. 

It  is  a  prejudice  very  generally  entertained,  that  the 
first  milk  is  injurious  to  the  calf,  on  account  of  its 
supposed  bad  quality.  This  is  acting  contrary  to  na- 
ture, which  has  provided  at  first  serous  and  yellowish 
milk,  termed  beestings,  of  a  laxative  or  opening 
quality,  in  order  to  carry  off  from  the  stomach  and 
bowels  of  the  calf  an  injurious  dark,  viscid  matter, 
termed  meconium^  which  has  collected  in  them  while 
in  the  womb.  It  is  therefore  essential  that  the  calf 
have  instant  and  free  access  to  the  cow.  If  the  calf 
does  not  readily  take  the  teat,  put  it  into  its  mouth ; 
but  do  this  gently  and  with  great  care. 

If,  however,  the  first  milk  of  the  cow  should  not  pro- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  117 

duce  the  desired  evacuation  from  the  bowels  of  the 
calf,  recourse  must  be  had  to  medicine ;  the  following 
will  be  suitable  for  this  purpose : 

RECIPE  No.  7. 

Castor  oil,  1  ounce  ; 

Prepared  kali,  ^  a  dram  ; 

Ginger  in  powder,  1  tea  spoonful. 

Mix,  and  give  it  in  half  a  pint  of  warm  milk. 

This  drink  may  be  repeated  the  next  day,  if  the 
bowels  are  not  sufficiently  open. 

The  diet  and  treatment  of  cows,  at  the  time  of  calv- 
ing, must  be  regulated  according  to  the  season  of  the 
year.  It  is,  however,  considered  of  consequence  to 
the  dairy,  that  cows  should  not  drop  their  young  too 
early  in  the  season ;  as  when  that  happens,  they  fall 
off  their  milk  in  the  autumn,  when  from  its  superior 
richness,  it  is  more  valuable  than  at  any  other  time. 
From  the  end  of  March  to  the  end  of  April  is  con- 
sidered the  best  time  in  the  northern  districts ;  as  the 
cow  soon  gets  into  condition  upon  the  early  grass,  and 
yields  a  greater  quantity  of  milk  in  the  course  of  the 
season  than  those  that  calve  either  much  earlier  or 
later;  but  in  the  southern  parts,  the  advantage  is 
found  in  calving  much  earlier.  But  as  nature  will  not 
always  be  confined  by  any  rule  which  man  can  lay 
down,  he  must  act  accordingly. 

If  It  be  in  winter,  or  early  in  the  spring,  they  should 
be  housed  as  soon  as  possible;  for  new-born  calves 
are  particulurly  fearful  of  cold,  and  must  be  guarded 
from  its  intensity ;  not  to  the  degree  of  confining  them 
in  close,  hot  stables,  and  injuring  them  by  the  reverse 
of  too    much   heat.     Warm  water,  and   meshes   of 


118  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

scalded  bran,  mixed  with  a  little  ground  corn,,  should 
also  be  given  to  the  cow,  twice  or  three  times  a  day. 

If  the  calving  be  in  summer,  the  cow  and  calf  re- 
quire to  be  kept  under  a  shade,  where  they  can  be 
protected  from  the  sun  in  the  day,  from  the  cold  in  the 
evening,  and  from  damps  and  fogs  at  all  times;  and 
the  cow  must  be  treated  with  meshes  and  warm  water, 
for  two  or  three  days,  the  same  as  in  winter,  but  wil 
not  require  so  many  of  them. 

If  the  calf  be  intended  for  the  butcher,  it  may  be 
taken  from  the  cow  after  about  a  week  or  ten  days, 
and  fed  the  remainder  of  the  time  by  hand  as  here- 
after directed;  but  this  time  of  taking  the  calf  away 
must  be  determined  by  the  state  of  the  cow's  udder  ; 
for  unless  that  be  free  from  kernels  and  indurations, 
the  calf  must  be  allowed  to  suck,  as  the  jolting  of  its 
head  is  the  means  of  healing  or  restoring  the  udder, 
and  preventing  the  downfall,  or  inflammation  in  this 
part,  which  might  cause  much  trouble,  and  even  en- 
danger the  life  of  the  cow. 

But  if  the  calf  is  intended  to  be  reared,  it  should 
not  be  weaned  until  at  least  six  weeks  or  even  two 
months  old,  whether  male  or  female.  For  such,  there 
is  no  food  like  the  cow's  milk  ;  and  if  she  does  not 
yield  a  sufficient  quantity,  that  of  another  ought  to  be 
had  recourse  to.  It  is  an  incontrovertable  fact,  that 
the  longer  a  calf  sucks,  not  only  the  larger  and  stronger 
will  it  become,  but  it  will  also  acquire  a  much  better 
form,  and  more  robust  health. 

Calves  which  come  early  should  be  preferred  fo^ 
rearing.  Those  which  come  late,  do  not  acquire  suffi- 
cient strength  to  bear  the  cold  of  winter  ;  they  lan- 
guish, and  are  reared  with  difficulty.  Calves  should 
not  be  weaned  too  suddenly,  but  by  little  and  little. 
The  less  they  are  able  to  eat,  the  more  they  should  bo 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  119 

allowed  to  suck ;  or  after  awhile  they  may  be  brought 
to  take  it  from  the  pail.  This  is  done  by  placing  the 
hand  in  the  milk,  while  the  fingers  are  raised  above 
the  surface  of  the  milk,  for  the  calf  to  lay  hold  of  with 
its  mouth,  which  it  does  very  readily,  and  sucks  up  the 
milk  with  great  ease. 

When  they  are  completely  taken  away,  they  should 
be  fed  with  a  little  bran,  and  some  of  the  best  soft 
fragrant  hay  of  the  second  crop  ;  they  should  be  al- 
lowed plenty  of  the  skimmed  milk,  and  now  and  then 
a  little  water,  in  which  barley  has  been  boiled  and 
broken  up,  or  a  little  buttermilk,  occasionally.  There 
is  at  first  some  difficulty  in  bringing  them  to  drink,  but 
a  little  perseverance  will  accustom  them  to  it. 

Moderate  warmth  and  dry  lodging  are  of  the  utmost 
consequence  to  young  calves ;  and  if  we  would  turn 
them  to  any  good  account,  they  must  not  be  stinted 
either  in  these  or  in  their  food.  Some  persons  feed 
calves  that  have  been  weaned,  only  twice  or  thrice  a 
day  :  this  is  not  enough  :  give  less  at  a  time,  but  more 
frequently  ;  and  take  care  that  they  have  enough.  In 
summer,  skimmed  milk,  thickened  with  oat  or  wheat- 
meal  ;  and  in  winter,  carrots,  or  Swedish  turnips, 
sliced,  will  make  them  excellent  food,  adding  at  all 
times  a  little  good  sweet  hay. 

As  soon  as  they  are  fit  to  follow  the  mother,  let  them 
out ;  nothing  does  them  more  good  than  exercise,  and 
there  is  nothing,  perhaps,  more  injurious  than  keeping 
them  too  long  in  a  stable. 

Calves  that  acquire  a  habit  of  sucking  themselves, 
may  be  prevented  by  separating  them.  This  is  the 
only  effectual  method.  They  sometimes  also  contract 
a  habit  of  licking  themselves,  and  swallowing  the  hair 
which  forms  balls  in  their  stomach ;  and  being  indi- 
gestible, are  the  cause  of  many  serious  diseases.     Of 


120  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

these  habits  they  must  be  broken  ;  or  they  will,  in 
spite  of  the  best  care  and  keep,  lose  flesh,  become 
covered  with  lice,  and  subject  to  worms,  as  well  as  to 
a  disease  similar  to  farcy. 

Calves  cannot  be  kept  too  clean  or  have  fresh  litter 
too  often  ;  for  besides  the  evils  already  mentioned,  if 
they  are  suffered  to  lie  on  their  own  dung  and  urine, 
they  will  become  mangy,  and  scarcely  ever  thrive. 
They  are  subject  to  several  disorders,  as  the  diarrhoea, 
or  dysentary,  costiveness,  hoose,  &c.,  but  these  we 
shall  describe  in  their  proper  place.  As  a  means, 
however,  of  preventing  the  greater  number  of  these 
diseases,  we  would  advise  the  adoption  of  a  few  simple, 
but  useful  rules. 

1st. — Let  the  XPyng  calf  suck  the  first  milk.  This 
will  cleanse  its  bowels,  and  prevent  costiveness. 

2nd. — Let  it  suck  from  the  mother  at  least  two  months 
before  it  is  weaned,  and  then  wean  it  gradually, 

3rd. — Let  its  first  food  be  such  as  is  easy  of  digestion, 
and  let  it  have  plenty  of  sweet  skimmed  milk 
and  good  hay. 

4th. — Keep  it  very  clean,  well  rubbing  it  occasionally 
with  a  whisp  of  hay  or  straw. 

5th. — Keep  its  stable  clean,  and  perfectly  free  from  all 

impurities. 

6th. — Let  it  have  gentle  exercise ;  the  best  will  be  in 
following  the  mother  in  the  meadow  or  pasture. 

7th. — Do  not  stint  it,  either  in  good  food  or  good  drink, 
and  change  its  litter  often  enough  to  keep  it 
clean,  sweet,  and  dry. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  121 

DISEASES 
TO  WHICH  CALVES  ARE  SUBJECT. 

It  is  an  observation  founded  on  experience,  that  calves 
born  in  the  open  air,  suffer  much  less  from  weakness 
or  illness,  than  those  that  are  kept,  from  the  moment 
of  their  birth,  in  closely  confined  barns,  or  sheds. 
Those  brought  up  by  hand,  are  also  much  more  deli- 
cate than  those  which  are  allowed  to  suck  and  follow 
their  mothers.  Calves  and  lambs  require  exercise  and 
fresh  air  ;  and  where  they  are  not  restrained,  nature 
directs  them  to  take  a  ^re^t  deal ;  and  it  is  surprising 
to  see  how  long  a  calf  will  run  about,  and  with  what 
vigour  it  plays  and  frisks,  if  left  at  liberty.  Free,  un- 
constrained, and  plenteous  exercise,  out  of  doors,  evi- 
dently makes  them  thrive,  and,  indeed,  seems  essential 
to  their  very  existence. 

Where  the  cow  is  much  weakened  in  calving,  or 
long  in  giving  milk,  or  if  the  weather  be  cold,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  warm  a  little  before  the  fire  in  a  pan 
until  it  is  about  blood  warm,  and  then  to  give  it  in  this 
state  to  the  calf,  a  little  at  a  time ;  about  a  pint  and  a 
half,  four  times  in  every  twenty-four  hours.  If  cold 
milk  be  given  to  a  calf,  it  occasions  a  trembling;  and 
the  cords,  or  some  other  malady,  inevitably  succeed. 

Calves  are  subject  to  several  disorders  during  the 
time  of  sucking,  when  weaning,  or  while  they  are  fat- 
tening for  the  butcher.  These  disorders,  or  rather 
symptoms,  have  obtained  different  names,  as  cords, 
diarrhcEa,  costiveness,  &c.,  but  they  are  really,  evi- 
dence of  one  disorder  only — indigestion. 
11 


122  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

I.    CORDS. 

Cause. — Calves  sometimes  are  of  a  sickly  or  weak 
constitution,  and  require  care  as  to  the  quantity  of 
milk  they  take  at  each  time ;  for  if  they  exceed  a 
proper  quantity,  their  stomachs  become  disordered ; 
and  the  acid  formed  on  the  stomach  for  the  purpose 
of  effecting  a  change  in  the  milk  necessary  to  diges- 
tion and  the  formation  of  chyle,  is  increased  in  quan- 
tity, and  altered  in  quality.  In  consequence  of  this, 
the  milk,  instead  of  being  changed  very  gradually,  is 
coagulated,  and  large  indigestible  curds  are  formed 
from  it.  This  produces  almost  all  the  early  disorders 
of  calves. 

Symptoms. — Extreme  weakness,  disrelish  of  food, 
sometimes  accompanied  with  griping  pains.  When  the 
disorder  has  arrived  at  a  certain  height,  the  muscles 
are  affected  with  spasms,  and  drawn  into  cords^  as  it 
is  termed  ;  that  is,  they  contract  with  violence,  and 
feel  hard  and  knotted  in  several  parts.  These  curds 
frequently  remain  in  the  stomach  a  considerable  time, 
and  are  sometimes  so  compressed,  as  to  be  absolutely 
formed  into  cheese,  perfectly  solid,  and  smelling  like 
new  cheese,  a  little  sourish.  Hence  arises  the  obsti- 
nate costiveness.  Flatulency  now  takes  place,  the  calf 
becomes  blown  up,  and  affected  with  flatulent  colic. 
This,  if  not  checked,  resolves  into  confirmed  diarrhoea, 
and  terminates  in  inflammation,  from  which  death 
generally  ensues. 

Cure. — First  attack  the  morbid  acidity  in  the 
stomach.  This  is  to  be  done  by  the  following 
medicine ; 


1 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOK.  123 

RECIPE  No.  8. 

Unslacked  lime,  a  piece  the  size  of  a  pigeon's  egg ; 
Water  sufficient  to  slake  it; 
Boiling  water,  one  pint ; 
(^  Subcarbonate  of  potash,  (salt  of  tartar,)  two  ounces. 

Put  the  lime  into  a  jug  with  a  cover,  pour  cold  water  on  it; 
when  slaked  add  the  boiling  water,  stir  it  up,  and  cover  it  up 
close. 

Into  an  eight  ounce  (or  half  pint)  bottle,  put  the  subcarbonate 
of  potash,  and  fill  it  up  with  the  lime-water,  having  first  shaken 
the  jug  so  that  it  may  be  a  little  thick.  Keep  the  bottle  well 
torked,  and  mark  it  "  Solution  of  Potash.''^ 

This  is  the  best  thing  that  can  be  given  for  correct- 
ing the  acidity  of  the  stomach.  Let  it  be  administered 
in  the  following  manner  : 

RECIPE  No.  9. 

Solution  of  potash  (as  above)     two  teaspoonsfxil ; 
Epsom  salts,  two  ounces ; 

Thin  gruel,  or  warm  water,        half  a  pint. 

Dissolve  the  salts  in  the  gruel,  or  water ;  add  the  solution  of 
potash,  and  give  it  daily,  until  the  curd  is  carried  from  the 
stomach,  and  the  acidity  destroyed. 

If  the  disorder  be  accompanied  with  griping  pains, 
give  with  it  one  of  the  following  cordials  : 

RECIPE  No.  10. 

Tincture  of  opium,  a  tea.spoonfiil ; 

Brandy,  a  table-spoonful. 

Or, 

Anodyne  carminative  tincture,  a  table-spoonful. 
This  will  very  soon  relieve  the  griping  pains,  with- 


124  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    PARKIER 

out  preventing  the  laxative  from  operating.  When  the 
calf  is  relieved,  feed  it  carefully  for  a  few  days ;  .and 
if  its  bowels  be  loose,  gruel  made  of  arrow-root,  or  fine 
wheaten  flour,  should  be  given  with  a  little  of  the  solu- 
tion of  potash,  or  powdered  chalk,  in  each  feed.  This 
should  be  left  off  gradually. 

Remarks. — Calves  brought  up  by  hand,  even  if  not 
of  delicate,  weak  constitutions,  are  liable  to  all  these 
affections,  merely  from  being  improperly  fed,  that  is, 
from  having  too  much  milk  at  a  time,  from  that  milk 
not  being  sufficiently  fresh,  or  being  in  a  bad  state 
from  a  disordered  stomach  of  the  cow,  she  being  fed 
on  bad  hay  or  stale  grains.  An  intimate  connexion 
exists  between  the  udder  and  the  cow's  stomach,  and 
the  milk  is  very  liable  to  become  altered  in  quality  as 
well  as  quantity,  by  feeding  her  upon  bad  hay  :  we 
cannot,  therefore,  wonder  at  this.  There  is  an  acid 
formed  in  the  stomach  of  the  cow,  and  of  all  animals, 
when  that  organ  is  weakened  in  a  certain  degree, 
which  by  irritating  the  fourth  stomach,  will  disorder 
one  or  more  of  the  quarters  of  the  udder,  and  spoil 
the  milk  in  that  quarter.  To  cure  these  disorders  is 
one  thing,  and  requires  much  trouble  ;  to  prevent  them, 
another,  of  less  trouble,  but  of  infinitely  more  import- 
ance. The  prevention,  then,  is  simply  good,  whole- 
some food,  and  pure  water.  In  Scotland,  particularly, 
where  there  is  but  little  grass,  and  plenty  of  bad  hay, 
this  disease  has  at  times  been  very  prevalent,  and 
proved  very  destructive. 

II.— DIARRHCEA,  OR  DYSENTERY. 

This  disease  attacks  young  calves  from  the  age  of 
two  to  six  weeks  old ;  it  makes  them  thin,  and  some- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  125 

times  settles  into  a  dysentery,  which  often  terminates 
fatally. 

Cause. — Change  of  diet,  particularly  when  stinted  in 
good  food  ;  some  careful  housewives  being  so  thrifty  as 
not  to  allow  them  a  sufficiency  of  proper  subsistence, 
which  nature  requires  at  so  early  an  age. 

Sjjmptoms. — Great  weakness  ;  loathing  of  food  ; 
with  continual  purging ;  every  thing  taken  into  the 
stomach  acidifies,  or  becomes  sour,  and  coagulates 
therein.  In  the  last  stage  of  the  disease,  the  stools 
become  fetid  and  bloody ;  a  large  portion  of  the  de- 
fensive mucus  of  the  intestines  is  mixed  with  them ;  if 
unchecked,  a  gangrene  or  mortification  ensues,  and 
terminates  in  the  death  of  the  animal. 

Remedy, — Give,  in  a  little  gruel,  the  following : 
RECIPE  No.  11. 


Tincture  of  rhubarb,  one  tablespoonfiil ; 

Laudanum,  one  teaspoonful. 


Or, 


RECIPE  No.  12. 

Dover's  powders,  two  scruples ; 

Compound  cinnamon  powder,  three  scruples ; 

Prepared  chalk,  two  drams. 

Mix  for  one  drink,  and  give  it  morning  and  evening  as  long  ai 
the  purging  continues. 

If  there  be  a  continual  motion  to  dung,  add  to  this 
a  teaspoonful  of  laudanum ;  or, 
11* 


126  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

RECIPE  No.  13. 

New-laid  eggs,  with  their  shells,       two; 
Milk,  one  pint. 

Mix,  and  give  it  new-milk-warm,  two  or  three  times  a  day,  until 
the  scouring  ceases. 

If  these  means  fail,  an  ounce  of  diascordium  elec- 
tuary should  be  given  every  morninj^ ;  and  if,  notwith- 
standing all  that  you  have  done,  the  excrement  becomes 
bloody  and  fetid,  give  one  of  the  following,  every 
morning,  for  a  few  days  : — 

RECIPE  No.  14. 


Or, 


Diascordium  electuary,  one  ounce ; 

Good  red  wine,  a  wine-glass  ftdl. 


RECIPE  No.  15. 


Diascordium  electuary,          one  ounce ; 
Elder-flower  water,  a  wine-glassful; 

Crude  sal-ammoniac,  half  a  dram. 

Dissolve  the  sal-ammoniac  in  the  elder-flower  water,  and  then 
add  the  electuary :  mix,  and  give. 

If  feverish  symptoms  accompany  or  appear  in  this 
complaint,  or  if  the  calf  lie  down,  kick  at  its  belly, 
and  appear  in  pain,  take  away  half  a  pint  of  blood, 
or  more,  if  the  age  of  the  calf  will  allow  it,  and  give 
the  following  purgative,  with  a  teaspoonful  of  lauda- 
num therein. 

RECIPE  No.  16. 

Glauber  salts,  three  ounces ; 

Powdered  ginger,  half  an  ounce; 

Aniseeds,  fresh  powdered,  half  an  ounce ; 

Treacle,  two  tablespoonsftiL 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  127 

Put  me  whole  into  a  pitcher,  and  pour  upon  it  a  pint  of  boiling 
water  ;  cover  it  down,  and  give  it  when  new-milk  warm.  This 
is  sufficient  for  a  calf  about  six  weeks  old. 

Remarks. — The  time  of  change  of  diet  with  calves 
is  a  critical  and  trying  period :  care  should,  therefore, 
be  taken  to  change  it  very  little  for  the  first  fortnight; 
and  in  every  subsequent  change  to  inure  it  by  de- 
grees :  or  a  dysentery  may  be  expected,  which  if  not 
timely  checked,  will  inevitably  prove  fatal. 

III.— COSTIVENESS,  OR  OBSTRUCTION  IN 
THE  BOWELS. 

Calves  are  liable  to  this  complaint  from  the  .first 
moment  of  their  birth  ;  and  also  at  every  subsequent 
stage  ;  in  every  one  of  which  its  life  is  in  danger,  un- 
less timely  relief  be  given. 

Cause. — Not  allowing  the  calf  to  suck  the  first  milk 
from  the  mother ;  or  the  mother  being  fed  upon  too 
dry  meat,  will  induce  this  complaint  in  the  first  few 
weeks  of  the  calf's  existence  ;  but  in  a  more  advanced 
age,  it  may  result  from  improper  feeding,  exposure  to 
damp,  change  of  diet,  or  labouring  under  some  latent 
internal  disease. 

Symptoms. — In  very  young  calves,  not  bemg  able 
to  dung,  or  even  sometimes  to  void  urine  ;  they  cease 
to  suck,  stamp,  with  their  hind  feet,  become  short- 
breathed,  and  generally  die  in  a  short  time.  In  older 
calves,  nearly  the  same  symptoms  occur ;  which,  if 
not  timely  checked,  resolve  into  inflammation,  the 
complaint  becomes  more  serious,  and  terminates 
fatally. 


128  EVERY   MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

Remedy. — If  the  calf  be  very  young,  draw  the  dung 
out  of  the  fundament  with  the  finger,  the  finger  being 
first  oiled,  and  introduced  carefully,  and  the  hard  ex- 
crement taken  out  gradually :  >vtlen  this  has  been 
done,  one  or  two  clysters  should  be  thrown  up,  com- 
posed of  infusion  of  mallows  or  camomile,*  and  a 
little  sweet  oil.  If  this  be  not  effectual,  the  previous 
purgative  drink.  No.  16,  may  be  given  at  twice,  half 
the  quantity  prescribed  at  each  time,  morning  and 
evening.  Of  course,  if  the  calf  be  six  weeks  old,  it 
may  be  given  as  there  directed,  at  once ;  but  if  it  be 
eight  weeks  old,  then  the  following  should  be  given : 

RECIPE  No.  17. 

Glauber  salts,  four  ounces  ; 

Rhubarb,  powdered,  two  drams  ; 

Ginger,  carraway,  ?  f        l,    S  one-third  of 

and  aniseed  \  (    an  ounce; 

Treacle,  three  tablespoonsful. 

Put  the  whole  into  a  pitcher,  pour  a  pint  of  boiling  water  upou 
the  higredients,  and  give  when  new-milk  warm. 

If  the  case  be  inflammatory,  then  the  following  may 
be  substituted : — 


RECIPE  NO.  18. 

Castor  oil,  four  ounces ; 

Rhubarb, powdered,  two  drams; 

Prepared  kali,  one  dram; 

Ginger,  fresh  powdered,         a  quarter  of  an  ounce ; 

Aniseeds,  fresh  powdered,      a  quarter  of  an  ounce  j 

Treacle,  two  tablespoonsful. 

Mix,  and  give  it  in  a  pint  of  warm  gruel. 

\ 
•  Infusion  of  camomile,  or  of  other  herbs,  is  made  in  the 
same  way  as  you  make  tea,  merely  by  pouring  boiling  water  on 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  129 

In  »  more  advanced  age,  the  salts  or  the  castor  oil 
should  be  increased  ;  the  other  ingredients  may  remain 
he  same.  ^ 

After  purging  gi^  the  following  cordial  drink,  which 
will  not  only  invigorate  the  system,  but  produce  a 
healthful  tendency  in  the  blood. 

RECIPE  No.  19. 

• 

Aniseeds,  fresh  powdered  one  ounce ; 

Carraway-seeds,  ditto.  one  ounce ; 

Coriander-seeds,  ditto.  half  an  ounce ; 

Ginger,  ditto.  half  an  ounce ; 

Grains  of  paradise,  ditto.  half  an  ounce ; 

Treacle,  two  table-spoonsful ; 

Fresh  butter,  a  lump  the  size  of  a  walnut. 

Put  the  ingredients  into  a  pitcher,  and  pour  upon  them  a  pint 
of  boiling  ale.  Cover  all  down  till  new-milk  warm,  and  then 
give  it. 

This  will  be  found  an  excellent  drink  to  remove 
indisposition  and  flatulency  in  the  stomach  ;  it  also 
strengthens  the  stomach,  and  by  promoting  the  diges- 
tive process — the  best  method  of  preserving  health 
in  young  animals — restores  the  appetite,  and  secures 
health. 

IV.— HOOSE,  or  COUGH. 

Cause. — Exposure  to  cold,  moist  atmosphere,  or  an 
insufficiency  of  wholesome  food.    It  generally  attacks 

the  herb,  and  suffering  it  to  stand  awhile,  covered  closely,  to  ex- 
tract the  principal  strength  of  the  herb.  If  the  quantity  be  more 
than  the  tea-pot  will  contain,  a  clean  jug  will  answer  the  same 
purpose,  the  top  being  covered  over  with  a  doubled  cloth.  When 
the  infusion  cools  to  about  new-milk  warmth,  it  may  be  poured 
off  for  use. 


13ft  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

young  calves  during  the  first  year  ;  is  not  very  difficult 
to  cure,  if  attended  to  early  ;  but  if  neglected  at  this 
period,  almost  invariably  terminates  fatally. 

Symptoms. — A  continual  ticklish  sensation  in  the 
throat,  caused  by  very  small  worms  being  engendered 
in  the  branches  of  the  windpipe,  and  clustering  to- 
gether in  a  thick,  whitish  fluid,  cause  the  young  ani- 
mal to  be  in  an  almost  constant  stateiof  hoosing  or 
coughing ;  by  which  the  digestive  powers  become  so 
much  impaired,  as. to  render  the  chewing  of  the  cud 
impracticable ;  if  this  disorder  be  not  subdued  by 
proper  medicines,  the  animal  languishes  and  pines 
away,  as  if  in  a  consumption. 

Remedy. — The  following  ball  and  drink  will,  if  early 
administered,  generally  remove  this  complaint. 

RECIPE  No.  20. 

Calomel,  eight  to  twelve  grains ; 

Gentian,  in  powder,  two  drams  ; 

Syrup  enough  to  make  it  into  a  ball. 
Give  it  in  the  morning,  fasting,  and  let  the  calf  be  kept  from  food 
for  two  hours  :  half  a  pint  of  gruel  should  be  administered  at 
the  time  of  giving  the  ball,  to  wash  it  down. 

If  the  hoosing  continue,  repeat  the  ball  in  about  four 
or  five  days.  After  each  ball,  give  the  following  pur- 
gative drink : 

RECIPE  No.  21. 

Epsom  salts,  four  ounces  ; 

Ginger,  in  powder  two  drams. 

Pour  a  pint  of  boiling  water  upon  these,  and  give  it  when  new, 
milk-warm. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  131 

The  following  is  also  an  excellent  drench,  which 
may  be  poured  into  the  calfs  nostrils. 

RECIPE  No.  22. 

Oil  of  turpentine,  a  table-spoonful ; 

Sweet  oil,  a  tea-spoonful ; 

Warm  water,  a  quarter  of  a  pint. 

v.— CANKER  IN  THE  MOUTH. 

Cause. — Heat  of  the  body,  induced  probably  by 
costiveness;  and,  like  most  other  disorders  to  which 
calves  are  subject,  it  arises  from  improper  food,  or  that 
which  is  not  easy  of  digestion. 

Symptoms. — The  mouth  is  so  affected,  that  the 
young  calf  cannot  eat  properly.  The  inside  of  the 
cheeks  and  gums  are  tender,  red,  and  ulcerated,  and 
the  teeth  loose.  It  is  sometimes  accompanied  with 
fever,  and  then  internal  remedies  must  be  applied. 

Remedy, — The  following  mixture  is  generally  a 
cure  for  this  complaint : 

RECIPE  No.  23. 

Burnt  alum,  half  an  ounce ; 

Rock  alum,  half  an  ounce  ; 

Common  salt,  half  an  ounce ; 

Armenian  bole,  in  powder,  half  an  ounce ; 

Honey,  two  ounces. 

Pour  a  pint  and  a  half  of  hot  vinegar  upon  these  ingredients  in 
a  covered  jar :  close  it  down,  and  when  cold,  put  it  into  a 
bottle  for  use. 

The  mouth  must  be  well  washed,  two  or  three  times 


132  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

a  day,  with  this  mixture,  in  the  following  manner : — 
round  one  end  of  a  cane  or  stick,  two  feet  long,  fold 
a  small  lump  of  Imen,  or  fine  tow  :  secure  it  well  with 
strong  thread :  then  shake  the  bottle  well :  pour  some 
of  the  mixture  into  a  pot ;  dip  the  end  of  the  cane  or 
stick  into  the  gargle  mixture,  and  apply  it  all  over  the 
mouth. 

If  feverish  symptoms  appear,  administer  the  purga- 
tive drink,  No.  16,  page  126 ;  and,  after  that  has  ope- 
rated, give  the  cordial  drink.  No.  19,  page  129;  and 
repeat  if  necessary. 

VI.— INFLAMMATORY  DISORDERS. 

Cause, — Though  indigestion,  from  improper  feed- 
ing, is  the  cause  of  most  of  the  disorders  of  calves, 
yet  sometimes  they  thrive  too  quickly,  or  form  so 
much  blood,  as  to  be  attacked  with  iiiflammatory  com- 
plaints. This  is  not  often  the  case  during  the  time 
they  are  fed  on  milk,  but  frequently  when  about  one 
year  old. 

Symptoms. — Heaviness,  hanging  of  the  head  and 
ears,  watery  eyes,  cough,  loss  of  appetite,  and  quick 
and  difficult  breathing,  or  rathe?  wheezing. 

Remedy. — Bleed  freely,  even  to  fainting,  and  after- 
wards give  the  following  saline  drought : 

RECIPE  No.  24. 

Epsom  salts,  six  ounces ; 

Water,  one  quart. 

Mix,  and  give  it  either  at  once  or  twice,  according  to  the  age  or 
constitution  of  the  calf. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  133 

This  may  be  repeated,  if  necessary  ;  and  if  the  cos- 
tiveness  be  not  removed,  give  the  following  clyster  : 

RECIPE  No.  25. 

Table  salt,  four  ounces ; 

Warm  water,  two  quarts. 

Observations. — When  calves  are  about  a  year  old, 
great  care  must  be  taken  to  prevent  these  inflamma- 
tory diseases,  by  keeping  them  on  the  barer  pastures. 
This  is  more  effectual  than  all  the  medicinal  preven- 
tives. Thousands  of  calves  have  been  destroyed  by 
forcing  them,  as  it  is  termed  ;  that  is,  by  keeping  them 
too  well.  Moderation  in  food  is  particularly  essen-; 
tial.  Writers  on  cattle  medicine  generally  recommend 
drenching  and  bleeding,  when  young  stock  are  turned 
into  good  pasture:  this  is  very  good  advice;  but  we 
will  give  better — keep  tlvem  out  of  it;  for  certainly 
prevention  is  much  better  than  cure.  Neat  cattle  at 
all  ages,  are,  from  going  too  suddenly  into  good  pas- 
tures, very  susceptible  of  inflammation  ;  and  calves  in 
particular  suffer  from  too  hasty  a  change.  They  re- 
quire good  feeding,  but  that  feeding  must  be  of  the 
nutritious^  rather  than  of  the  succulent^  kind. 

We  have  thus  been  very  explicit  in  the  treatment 
and  disorders  of  calves,  because  we  consider  that,  by 
care  and  attention  in  their  early  days,  a  good  consti- 
tution may  be  secured,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
disorders  which  affect  their  more  mature  years,  alto- 
gether prevented.  Before  we  close  this  part  of  our 
subject,  however,  we  have  one  more  remark  to  make 
on  the  treatment  of  the  cow  after  calving  : — 

Some  cows,  from  an  abundance  of  milk,  are  liable 
to  a  swelling  of  the  udder  after  calving.  It  is  neces- 
12 


134  EVERY    MAN   HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

sary,  in  such  cases,  ti  draw  off  the  milk  several  times 
a  day,  if  the  calf  does  not  suck  a  sufficient  quantity, 
and  wash  the  udder  with  warm  water,  or  with  a  de- 
coction of  marsh-mallows.  These  means  are  gener- 
ally sufficient ;  and  there  is  no  danger  of  their  causing 
inflammation  and  abscess — diseases  which  require 
considerable  time  and  trouble  to  cure,  and  which  are 
oftentimes  brought  on  by  the  application  of  butter, 
lard,  or  some  rancid  ointment ;  which  are  too  gener- 
ally the  applications  made  use  of  on  this  occasion. 


AND  CATTLE  DOCTOR^  135 


OF  THE. 


INTERNAL  STRUCTURE  OF  THE  COW, 


AND  THE  ECONOMY  OF 


THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM 


In. the  brief  outline  we  are  about  to  give  of  the  inter- 
nal structure  of  neat  cattle,  we  shall  not  enter  into  an 
anatomical  dissertation ;  but  merely  describe  so  much 
of  the  digestive  system  as  will  enable  the  reader  to 
comprehend  the  ruminating  process ;  by  which  means 
he  will  not  only  be  the  better  qualified  to  prevent  many- 
complaints  to  which  neat  cattle  are  subject  from  im- 
proper treatment,  but  he  will  also  be  the  better  ena- 
bled to  understand  the  symptoms  of  the  complaints 
with  which  they  may  be  attacked,  and  to  adopt,  with 
greater  probabilities  of  success,  the  prescribed  methods 
of  cure. 

Neat  cattle  belonpj  to  the  ruminatinor  tribe  of  ani- 
mals ;  that  is,  they  masticate  or  chew  their  food  a 
second  time,  and  then  in  a  more  perfect  manner  ; 
thereby  obtaining  from  it  every  possible  particle  of 
nourishment.'  For  this  purpose  they  are  furnished 
with  four  distinct  stomachs,  into  which  their  food 
passes  in  the  several  stages  of  digestion.  These  will 
be  more  fully  explained. 

When  neat  cattle  first  swallow  their  food,  it  passes 
down  their  throats  in  very  coarse  and  large  mouthfuls ; 
when  they  have  taken  enough  in  this  state,  they  lie 


SKELETON  OF  AN  OX. 


138 


DESCRIPTION 


SKELETON  OF  AN  OX. 


a  The  upper  jaw-bone. 
h  The  nasal  bone,  or  bone  of  the  nose, 
c  The  lachrymal  bone 
d  The  malar,  or  cheek-bone, 
c  The  frontal  bone,  or  bone  of  the  forehead. 
/The  horns,  being  processes  or  continuations  of  the  frontal. 
"■  The  temporal  bone. 

A  The  parietal  bone  low  in  the  temporal  fossa. 

i  The  occipital  bone,  deeply  depressed  below  the  crest  or  ridge  07  the  hcttd. 
j  The  lower  jaw. 
k  The  grinders. 

I  The  nippers,  found  on  the  lower  jaw  alone, 
m  The  ligament  of  the  neck,  and  its  attachments, 
n  The  atlas. 

0  The  dentata. 

y  The  orbit  of  the  eye. 

g  The  vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  neck. 

r  The  bones  of  the  back. 

s  The  bones  of  the  loins. 

t  The  sacrum. 

u  The  bones  of  the  tail. 

V  Sf  w  The  haunch  and  pelvis. 

X  The  eight  true  ribs. 

y  The  false  ribs  with  their  cartilages. 

i  The  sternum. 

1  The  scapula,  or  shoulder-blade. 

2  The  humerus,  or  lower  bone  of  the  shoulder. 

3  The  radius,  or  principal  bone  of  the  arm. 

4  The  ulna,  its  upper  part  forming  the  elbow. 

5  The  small  bones  of  the  knee. 

6  The  large  metacarpal  or  shank  bone. 

7  The  smaller  splint-bone. 

8  The  sesamoid  bones. 

9  The  bifurcation  at  the  pasterns,  and  the  two  larger  pttstenu  to  each  iboL 
lO  The  two  smaller  pasterns  to  each  foot. 

n  The  two  coffin-bones  to  each  foot. 
12  The  navicular  bones. 
1.3  The  thigh-bone. 

14  The  patella,  or  bone  of  the  knee. 

15  The  tibia,  or  proper  leg-bone. 

16  The  point  of  the  hock.  • 

17,  17  The  small  bones  of  the  hock, 

18,  18  The  metatarsals,  or  larger  bonea  of  the  hind  leg. 

19, 19  The  pasterns  and  feet.  ^ 

137 


138  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

down  to  ruminate,  or,  as  it  is  termed,  to  chew  the  cud 
at  their  ease.  To  render  this  process  easily  to  be  un- 
derstood,  we  shall  briefly  describe  the  four  several  sto- 
machs. 

The  first  stomach,  called  the  ru7nen,  or  paunch,  is 
a  very  large  receptacle  for  the  food,  where  it  is  re- 
tained until  the  animal  ruminates.  There  is  a  place 
in  the  paunch  contiguous  to  where  it  joins  the  second 
stomach,  which  seems  to  act  as  a  valve,  and  prevent 
the  escape  of  air  during  the  maceration  of  food  in  it. 
It  is  to  this  stomach  that  the  food  passes  on  being  first 
swallowed  by  the  cow. 

The  second  stomach,  called  the  honey-comb^  or  bon- 
net, is  much  smaller  than  the  paunch,  and  in  its  in- 
ternal structure  resembles  that  of  the  honey-comb ; 
from  whence  it  takes  its  name,  It  is  situated  rather 
to  the  right  side  of  the  gullet,  near  to  the  midriff,  or 
skirt,  and  on  the  upper  and  fore  part  of  the  paunch. 
The  honey-comb  is  internally  covered  with  a  sort  of 
net-work,  which  seems  to  act  as  a  grate  or  strainer  to 
keep  back  any  hard  or  foreign  bodies  that  may  have 
been  swallowed  ;  pins,  nails,  and  bits  of  wood  and 
stick,  having  been  found  therein,  entangled  in  the 
grate-like  entrapment.  This  stomach  seems  designed 
as  a  receptacle  for  the  more  fluid  parts  of  the  food,  as 
well  as  to  moisten  and  press  on  the  ruminated  morsel 
in  its  progress  to  the  third  stomach. 

The  third  stomach,  termed  many  plies  ^  ox  manifolds^ 
is  situated  on  the  upper  and  right  side  of  the  paunch, 
and  is  generally  found  filled  with  food.  It  then  ap- 
proaches in  shape  to  the  globular  form  ;  but  after  a 
fast  of  twenty-four  hours,  or  more,  bears  more  resem- 
blance to  that  of  a.  kidney.  This  part  of  the  system 
mav  be  considered  as  a  strong  muscular  bag,  supplied 
internally  with  numerous  leaves,  from  whence  it  de- 


AND    CATTLE   DOCTOH.  139 

rives  its  name,  and  between  which  the  food  passes  to 
undergo  a  further  preparation. 

The  fourth  and  last  stomach,  called  the  maw,  re- 
sembles the  pouch  of  a  bagpipe  in  form,  with  its  right 
and  smaller  extremity  connected  with  the  intestine. 
It  is  in  this  7naw  that  the  digestive  process  is  comple- 
ted— the  former  three  being  only  preparatory.  This 
stomach  is  very  capacious,  being  thrown  into  large 
plaits  or  folds,  from  whence  a  peculiar  fluid,  called  the 
gastric  juice,  is  secreted,  which  mingling  with  the 
ruminated  food,  converts  it  into  a  substance  which  then 
takes  the  name  of  chyme;  this  chyme  is  conveyed  into 
the  smaller  intestines,  and  in  its  passage  yields  the 
nutritive  principle  necessary  for  the  sustenance  of  the 
animal.  The  fourth  stomach  derives,  from  the  gastric 
juice,  the  property  of  curdling  milk ;  the  maw  of 
calves,  when  dried,  is  called  rennet. 

The  digestive  process  is  that  change  which  the  food 
undergoes  in  the  four  stomachs  and  intestines,  and  by 
which  a  fluid  is  separated  from  it  for  the  nourishment 
and  growth  of  the  body. 

Grass,  hay,  or  any  other  kind  of  food  that  the  ani- 
mal eats,  passes  directly,  without  much  chewing,  into 
the  paunch,  where  it  is  retained  until  a  sufficient 
quantity  be  collected.  The  food,  while  in  the  paunch, 
mixes  with  a  fluid  secreted  in  this  receptacle,  in  which 
it  is  macerated,  and  thereby  undergoes  a  peculiar 
change,  which  destroys  its  texture,  and  converts  it  into 
a  pulpy  mass. 

When  the  animal  lies  down  to  ruminate,  or  chew 
the  cud,  as  it  is  termed,  the  paunch  contracts,  and  by 
that  action  propels  some  of  its  contents  into  the  honey- 
comb, and  from  thence  a  portion  of  it  is  transmitted, 
by  a  voluntary  act  of  the  beast,  through  the  gullet 
into   the   mouth,  to  be   more  intimately  mixed  with 


140  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

the  saliva,  and  more  perfectly  masticated  by  the 
grinders. 

The  beast  having  chewed  the  cud,  swallows  it,  and 
it  now  passes  into  the  maniples,  to  be  reduced  to  a 
still  finer  pulp,  and  incorporated  with  the  fluid  secreted 
in  that  stomach.  The  alimentary  mass  is  gradually 
pressed  from  the  manyplies  into  the  true  digesting  sto- 
mach, the  maw,  in  which  it  undergoes  a  change  thai 
is  absolutely  necessary  to  the  separation  of  the  nutri- 
tious part  from  it.  The  food,  after  being  detained 
some  time  in  the  maw  for  this  purpose,  is  expelled  into 
the  intestines,  and  in  them  the  digestive  process  is 
completed. 

In  the  intestines  it  becomes  intimately  mixed  with 
the  bile  and  other  secretions,  which  produce  a  further 
decomposition  in  it,  the  result  of  which  is  the  separa- 
tion of  the  nutritious  from  the  excrementitious  part, 
which  action  is  going  on  throughout  the  long  track  of 
the  intestinal  gut,  or  canal. 

The  nutritious  fluid  extracted  from  the  food,  is  of  a 
white,  or  milk-like  colour,  and  is  termed  chyle.  This 
chyle  is  taken  up  by  myriads  of  minute  vessels,  and 
conveyed  at  length  to  the  left  jugular  vein,  and  there 
it  mixes  with  the  mass  of  blood  to  supply  that  waste 
which  the  body  is  continually  sustaining  from  the  ne- 
cessary actions  of  life  ;  while  the  excrementitious  part 
is  propelled  along  the  intestinal  canal,  and  at  last  ex- 
pelled the  body. 

THE  UDDER. 

The  connexion  subsisting  between  the  fourth  sto- 
mach and  the  udder  of  the  cow,  is  so  intimately  blend- 
ed, that  the  one  cannot  be  affected  without  the  other 
being  materially  influenced  :  hence  we  may  see  the 
necessity  there  is  of  feeding  cattle  properly,  and  in 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  141 

ittending  to  their  health,  if  we  would  avail  ourselves 
of  the  profit  to  be  derived  "from  their  produce. 

If  we  examine  the  udder  of  a  milch  cow,  we  shall 
find  it  composed  of  cells  of  different  sizes,  becoming 
larger  as  they  approach  the  teats.  In  a  cow  that  has 
had  several  calves,  we  find  two  large  veins  proceeding 
from  the  udder,  and  passing  up  under  the  belly. 
These  are  remarkably  large,  when  the  udder  is  full 
of  milk,  and  are  commonly  called  Die  milk  veins  by 
dairymen.  In  consequence  of  the  fourth  stomach 
being  so  intimately  connected  with  the  udder,  it  par- 
takes of  its  sympathies,  and  is  affected  by  whatever 
disarranges  that  part  of  the  system ;  so  that  if  the 
fourth  stomach  be  disordered,  the  milk  in  one  or  more 
of  the  quarters  will  be  spoiled. 

The  udder  consists  of  four  quarters,  or  divisions, 
each  having  an  excretory  duct,  or  teat,  at  the  extre- 
mity of  which  there  is  a  contrivance  for  confining  the 
milk,  but  in  a  limited  degree ;  for  if  the  milk  be  suf- 
fered to  accumulate  in  the  udder  by  neglecting  to  milk 
at  the  proper  time,  it  will  at  length  force  its  way,  but 
imperfectly,  through  the  teat,  and  be  seen  passing  oflf 
in  drops  or  in  a  small  stream.  This  voluntary  act 
of  nature,  is,  however,  a  source  of  pain  and  injury 
to  the  cow ;  and  should  be  prevented  by  timely  assist- 
ance. 


142  EVERY    MAN   HIS    OWN   FARBIES 


THE  DISORDERS 

TO  WHICH 

NEAT  CATTLE  ARE  SUBJECT; 

WITH  THE 

CAUSES,  SYMPTOMS,  AND  METHODS  OP  CURE. 

OBSERVATIONS. 

As  soon  as  a  calf  is  weaned,  it  should  either  be  per- 
mitted to  run  in  the  best  pasture,  or  confined  in  the 
barn,  and  fed  by  hand,  and  be  carefully  fended  and 
kept  warm,  and  live  upon  the  best  fodder  through  the 
first  winter.  Afterwards  it  will  become  so  hardy  it 
will  require' less  care.  But  cattle  should  be  frequently 
looked  to  and  examined ;  that  so  if  they  be  overtaken 
with  any  sickness,  hurt,  or  lameness,  suitable  remedies 
may  be  seasonably  applied.  And  in  order  to  do  this, 
they  should  be  accustomed  to  come  home,  and  be  shut 
up  in  the  yard  every  night.  By  this  method,  a  farmer 
will  save  a  much  larger  quantity  of  dung.  And  in 
case  of  an  uncommonly  cold  storm,  the  cattle  may  be 
housed  with  very  little  trouble,  as  the  yard  is  contigu- 
ous to  their  house. 

Cattle,  from  one  year  old  to  three,  will  usually  get 
a  living  in  summer,  and  even  thrive,  upon  the  com- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  .    143 

mens,  or  in  the  meanest,  and  most  bushy  pastures. 
And  in  winter  the  poorest  fodder  will  keep  them  alive. 
And  as  our  farmers  know  these  things,  they  are  very 
apt  to  treat  their  young  cattle  in  this  manner.  Those' 
which  are  so  treated,  may  oftentimes  become  as  hardy 
cattle  as  any  ;  but  they  will  be  small,  and  therefore 
not  so  profitable.  Farmers  in  genera]|[^re  too  ambi- 
tious to  keep  a  large  stock  of  cattle.  A  necessary 
consequence  of  which  is,  that  they  are  pinched  in  their 
food,  and  never  come  to  their  full  growth.  Another 
ill  consequence  is,  their  growing  unruly  and  mischie- 
vous through  hunger,  learning  to  leap  over  fences,  or 
break  through  them. 

It  would  certainly  be  more  conducive  to  the  interest 
of  farmers,  to  keep  smaller  stocks  of  cattle  than  they 
do ;  for  then  they  would  be  able  to  feed  them  to  the 
full.  Their  oxen  would  be  much  larger  and  stronger 
than  they  are,  and  their  cows  would  give  plenty  of 
milk,  and  bring  large  calves ;  not  to  say  how  much 
they  would  save  in  taxes,  by  reducing  their  number  of 
rateable  cattle. 

Farmers  should  allow  their  young  stock  the  best  of 
pasture.  This  would  keep  them  out  of  mischief,  pre- 
vent their  learning  bad  tricks,  and  prevent  many  ill 
accidents  which  befal  them.  And  it  would  be  no  small 
advantage  always  to  know  where  to  find  them.  But, 
in  the  common  method  of  treating  them,  it  is  too 
common  a  case  for  them  to  straggle  so  far  from  home, 
that  the  owner  entirely  loses  them ;  or  else  spends  as 
much  time  as  they  are  worth,  in  seeking  after  them. 

If  a  young  stock  were  well  fed  at  all  seasons,  the 
heifers  would  commonly  have  calves  at  two  years  old, 
which  is  no  small  advantage,  and  steers  would  be  fit 
for  labour  earlier  in  proportion.  And  when  they  come 
to  be  killed  offj  the   quantity  of  beef  would  make 


144  EVEBY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

amends  for  their  being  so  fed  as  to  be  well  grown.  If 
the  farmer's  view  in  increasing  his  stock,  be  to  make 
as  much  dung  as  possible,  he  should  be  reminded  of 
"what  he  ought  to  know  already,  that  the  dung  of  a 
small  stock  would  be  equal  to  that  of  a  large  one,  if  it 
consume  the  same  quantity  of  fodder.  If  a  farmer 
make  this  obj^tion  to  pasturing  his  young  flock,  that 
his  farm  is  not  large  enough  to  admit  of  it ;  he  may 
find  an  answer  by  turning  to  the  article.  Mowing 
Ground,  where  diminishing  their  number  of  acres, 
and  increasing  that  of  pasture  ground,  is  recommended, 
and  sufficient  reasons  assigned. 

In  the  winter  cattle  should  be  housed,  to  defend  them 
from  the  inclemencies  of  the  weather.  For  though, 
nature  furnishes  them  with  a  thicker  covering  of  hair 
in  the  winter  than  in  the  summer,  the  difference  is  not 
near  so  great  as  that  of  the  weather  in  this  climate. 
Working  oxen  and  milch  cows  will  suffer  more  than 
the  rest  by  lying  abroad.  If  the  farmer  cannot  con- 
veniently house  all  his  cattle,  those  should  be  left  out 
which  are  between  the  age  of  one  and  three  years. 
And  those  that  lie  out  should  have  a  shed,  open  only 
to  the  south  and  west,  to  shelter  themselves  under  in 
stormy  weather. 

The  injuries  which  cattle  receive  from  each  other, 
when  they  are  lodged  together  in  a  yard,  is  an  addi- 
tional reason  for  tying  them  up  in  the  barn.  To  which 
it  may  be  added,  thait  a  great  part  of  the  fodder  that 
is  given  them  is  wasted,  even  when  it  is  given  them  in 
racks ;  much  more  when  it  is  thrown  upon  the  ground. 
They  trample  it  into  the  dung  with  their  feet,  which  id 
no  inconsiderable  loss. 

Cattle  will  bear  to  be  cold  much  better  than  to  be 
wet.  If  they  be  lefl  out  in  a  cold  storm  of  rain,  it 
pinches  them  exceedingly  ;  so  that  they  will  not  look 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  145 

SO  well  again  for  several  days  after  it.  The  sides  of 
the  house  where  they  are  lodged,  need  not  be  very 
tight.  It  might  be  apt  to  make  them  too  tender.  It 
will  certainly  abate  the  freshness  of  the  air  they 
breathe  in,  and  hurt  the  agreeable  flavor  of  their  fod- 
der. But  the  covering  of  their  house  should  be  per- 
fectly tight.  No  window  should  be  open,  through 
which  snow  or  rain  may  drive  in  upon  them.  The 
floor  they  lie  on  should  have  a  gentle  descent  back- 
ward, that  they  may  be  wetted  as  little  as  possible  by 
their  stale ;  and  they  should  always  have  straw  or 
litter  under  them,  not  only  to  soften  their  lodging,  but 
to  lay  them  the  more  warm  and  dry,  and  absorb  the 
wetness.  The  better  they  are  littered,  the  more  ma- 
nure will  the  owner  make  for  his  farm.  This  is  an 
object  of  high  importance. 

It  would  be  a  good  method  for  cattle  that  are  tied 
up,  to  fodder  them  in  racks.  They  would  not  be  so 
apt  to  rob  one  another  ;  nor  to  get  their  fodder  under 
their  feet ;  nor  to  render  it  unpalateable  by  their 
breathing  upon  it. 

Where  salt  hay  can  be  had,  cattle  should  now  and 
then  be  treated  with  a  little  of  it.  It  will  so  increase 
their  appetite,  that  they  will  eat  poor  meadow  hay  and 
straw  with  it,  or  after  it.  But  farmers  who  are  far 
from  the  sea,  and  not  furnished  with  salt  hay,  should 
now  and  then  sprinkle  some  of  their  meanest  fodder 
with  salt  dissolved  in  water,  which  will  answer  the 
same  valuable  purpose.  And  at  no  season  of  the  year 
should  cattle  be  kept  for  any  long  time,  without  salt. 
They  are  greedy,  after,  and  it  conduces  to  keep  them 
in  health. 

,     As  to  summer   feeding,  it  is  not  fit  that  a  whole 
stock  go  promiscuously  in  the  same  pasture.     Some 
would  be  overmuch  fed,  and  some  not  enough.     A 
13 


146  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

farmer's  pasture  grounds  should  be  made  into  a  num- 
ber of  separate  enclosures ;  the  greater  number  the 
better.  Milch  kine  and  cattle  fattening  for  slaughter 
should  have  the  first  of  the  feed  in  each  inclosure  ; 
then  working  oxen ;  afterwards  young  stock,  horses 
and  sheep.  When  each  kind  have  had  their  turn,  for 
two  or  three  days  or  perhaps  a  week,  the  apartment 
may  be  shut  up,  till  it  be  sufficiently  grown  for  the 
milch  cows.  By  such  a  rotation  much  may  be  saved ; 
but  little  of  the  grass  will  be  wasted  by  trampling  ; 
and  what  one  sort  leaves  another  will  eat ;  so  that 
none  of  the  grass  will  be  lost. 

Oxen  should  not  live  to  be  more  than  eight  years 
old,  nor  cows  more  than  ten  or  eleven.  When  they 
are  kept  longer,  they  do  not  fatten  so  easily  ;  and  the 
beef  is  not  so  good.  Cattle  to  be  fattened  should  have 
the  best  of  pasture  during  the  whole  grass  season,  or 
they  will  not  be  fat  so  early  as  December;  and  they 
should  lose  a  little  blood,  when  they  are  first  turned 
to  grass.  In  autumn,  when  grass  grows  short,  or  is 
corrupted  by  frosts,  their  fattening  should  be  promoted 
by  feeding  them  morning  and  evening  with  the  stalks 
of  Indian  corn,  pumpions,  potatoes,  or  carrots ;  and 
especially  with  ears  of  corn,  if  the  owner  can  aflx)rd 
it.  Indian  meal  is  supposed  to  be  still  better  to  com- 
plete their  fattening.  Oil  cakes  from  linseed  mills  are 
much  recommended  in  English  books,  as  conducing  to 
the  speedy  fattening  of  cattle. 

Cattle  are  apt  to  be  hoven  or  swollen  in  consequence 
of  having  eaten  too  much  green  succulent  food.  The 
common  remedy  for  this  disorder  has  been  to  stab  the 
infected  animal  with  a  pen  knife  or  other  sharp  in- 
strument, under  the  short  ribs,  and  put  into  the  orifice 
a  tube  of  ivory,,  elder,  a  quill,  or  something  of  the 
kind,  to  give  vent  to  the  confined  air.     The  wound  is 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR,  147 

then  dressed  with  some  sort  of  adhesive  plaster,  and 
thus,  in  general  the  cure  is  easily  effected.  This, 
however,  is  a  rough  and  dangerous  remedy,  and  we 
therefore  give  place  to  others  more  safe  and  gentle. 

The  23d  volume  of  the  Annals  of  Agriculture  an- 
nounces the  following  recipe  for  hoven  cattle,  which  it 
assures  us  will  effect  a  cure  for  hoven  cattle,  in  the 
most  desperate  cases  in  half  an  hour.  Take  three 
quarters  of  a  pint  of  olive  oil ;  one  pint  of  melted 
butter,  or  hog's  lard ;  give  this  mixture  by  means  of 
a  horn  or  bottle,  and  if  it  does  not  produce  a  favoura- 
ble change  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  repeat  the  same 
quantity,  and  walk  the  animal  gently  about.  For 
sheep,  attacked  with  this  malady  the  dose  is  from  a 
wine-glass  and  a  half  to  two  glasses. 

Besides  these  remedies,  flexible  tubes,  and  canes, 
with  knobs  at  their  ends,  have  been  used  to  force  a 
passage  from  the  mouth  to  the  stomach,  to  let  the 
confined  air  escape  upwards  from  the  trunk  of  the 
animal  affected.  Descriptions  of  these  instruments 
may  be  seen  in  the  second  American  edition  of  the 
Domestic  Encyclopasdia,  volume  I.  pp.  409, 410.  The 
following  simple  remedy  we  have  been  assured  is  ef- 
fectual. Make  about  a  pint  of  lye  either  with  hot  em- 
bers thrown  into  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water,  or  by 
dissolving  therein  about  an  ounce  of  pot  or  pearl  ash, 
and  turn  it  down  the  throat  of  the  ox  or  cow  affected. 
A  proportionably  less  quantity  will  answer  for  a  sheep. 
This  is  said  to  give  immediate  relief  by  neutralizing 
the  carbonic  acid  gas  in  the  stomach  of  the  creature, 
which  causes  the  swelling,  and  other  symptoms  of  the 
complaint  to  subside. 

When  oxen  are  long  and  hardly  driven,  in  muddy 
roads,  particularly  where  the  soil  is  calcareous,  they 
are  liable  to  soreness  between  the  claws.    This  will 


148  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    PARKIER 

make  the  beast  lame,  and  when  discovered,  the  part 
should  be  cleansed,  and  healed  with  some  proper  oint- 
ment. Sometimes  from  inattention  to  this,  the  part 
becomes  horny  ;  in  this  case  the  hard  parts  must  be 
cut  away,  and  the  wounded  flesh  cured. 

A  general  indication  of  health  in  neat  cattle  is  a 
moist  or  wet  nose,  and  when  this  is  found  dry  it  is  a 
certain  symptom  of  diseases  of  some  kind  or  other. 

Symptoms. — When  an  animal  is  at  all  lame,  its 
foot  should  be  carefully  felt.  The  first  indication  is 
usually  an  uncommon  degree  of  warmth,  and  a  soft 
and  puffed  feel  of  the  parts  immediately  connected  with 
the  slit  between  the  hoof,  either  before  or  behind  the 
foot  and  generally  just  above  it.  If  in  the  hind  foot, 
and  not  easily  handled,  a  fullness  may  generally  be 
perceived,  by  standing  behind  the  animal  and  carefully 
comparing  the  appearance  of  the  two  feet,  between  the 
dew  claws  and  the  hoofs  (for  it  very  rarely  commences 
its  attack  in  more  than  one  foot.)  In  the  fore  foot  it 
generally  swells  forward  ;  and  in  taking  up  the  foot, 
the  slit  between  the  hoofs  will  have  an  appearance  of 
dryness,  easily  distinguishable  to  a  person  used  to 
cattle ;  and  the  animal  frequently  licks  the  front  part 
of  the  foot.  Instances  often  occur  of  sudden  and  ex- 
treme lameness,  without  any  appearance  of  heat  or 
swelling  in  the  foot ;  and  these  are  often  the  worst 
cases  ;  but  one  symptom  rarely  fails  to  accompany  the 
disease,  which  is  extreme  restlessness  and  appearance 
of  anguish,  attended  with  loss  of  appetite  and  flesh; 
but  without  in  the  least  affecting  the  brightness  of  the 
eye,  and,  perhaps,  sometimes,  unnaturally  increasing 
it ;  but  the  eye  has  a  peculiar  cast.  As  a  general  rule 
it  is  safest  to  attribute  all  lameness  of  the  foot,  which 
cannot  be  traced  to  a  sufficient  cause,  to  the  hoof  ail. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  149 

Lameness  of  the  foot  can  generally  be  distinguished 
from  that  of  the  leg,  hip  or  shoulder,  by  making  the 
animal  step  over  a  stick  or  rail,  and  carefully  watching 
its  motions. 

Remedies. — The  foot  should  be  carefully  washed 
and  cleansed,  and  thoroughly  examined,  to  be  sure 
that  the  lameness  does  not  arise  from  a  nail  casually 
run  into  the  foot,  or  a  prick  in  shoeing,  or  from  a 
wound  from  a  stump  or  other  substance  between  the 
hoofs  (a  case  frequently  occuring.)  If  no  appearance 
occurs  of  any  break  in  the  skin,  while  the  foot  is  still 
wet,  apply,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  to  the  centre  of  the 
slit,  between  the  hoofs  from  one  to  three  grains  of  cor- 
rosive sublimate  (reduced  to  a  fine  powder)  the  dose  to 
be  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the  animal  and  the  vio- 
lence of  the  attack.  Care  must  be  used  that  the 
powder  is  put  completely  in  this  slit,  for  it  is  very  strong 
poison,  and  the  animal,  as  soon  as  at  liberty,  will  begin 
to  lick  the  foot,  if  a  sore  one.  The  moisture  left  by 
the  washing,  makes  the  powder  adhere  :  and  the  effect 
is  produced  in  a  very  short  time.  Some  prefer  mixing 
the  powder  with  hog's  lard,  which  answers ;  but  it  is 
thought  less  powerful :  it  has  one  advantage,  however, 
as  being  less  dangerous  to  keep  in  a  house  (for  no  one 
takes  salve  inwardly.)  Where  corrosive  sublimate 
cannot  be  obtained,  any  other  violent  stimulent  may 
be  applied.  Common  salt  is  often  effectual  in  very 
slight  attacks  ;  but  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to 
lose  no  time.  The  application  is  to  be  repeated  every 
twenty-four  hours,  till  a  cure  is  effected,  or  till  the 
foot  shews  unequivocal  signs  of  a  gathering  which  will 
break. 

13* 


150  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 


INFLAMMATORY  FEVER,  OR  GENERAL  IN- 
FLAMMATION;  CALLED  ALSO  QUARTER 
EVIL,  BLACK  QUARTER,  OR  SPUD. 

This  disease  frequently  happens  to  young  cattle, 
generally  between  the  first  and  third  year,  most  com- 
monly about  the  second  year  of  their  age.  It  appears 
to  be  occasioned  by  feeding  them  too  hastily ;  by  put- 
ting them,  when  in  a  lean  state,  into  rich  succulent 
pasture. 

The  animal  when  seized  with  this  complaint,  be- 
comes suddenly  listless  and  stupid  ;  he  hangs  down  his 
head,  refuses  his  food,  and  appears  to  move  with  diffi- 
culty. Swellings  soon  appear  in  diiferent  parts  of  the 
body,  which,  when  pressed  by  the  finger,  make  a 
crackling  noise.  Sometimes  the  joints  are  particularly 
affected ;  at  others,  the  swelling  appears  on  the  back, 
shoulder  or  belly. 

The  disease  attacks  rather  suddenly,  and  oflen 
proves  fatal,  particularly  when  proper  remedies  are 
not  speedily  employed.  Bleeding  is  the  first  remedy, 
and  must  be  proportioned  to  the  age  and  strength  of 
the  animal ;  perhaps  from  three  to  four  quarts  will 
generally  be  found  sufficient.  The  blood  should  al- 
ways be  measured.  The  following  purgative  should 
then  be  given. 


Aloes, 

3  drams ; 

Potash, 

2  drams ; 

Sulphat  of  Soda  (Glauber  Salts) 

6  ounces ; 

Warm  Water, 

1  pint. 

Mix  for  a  dose. 

This  dose  will  generally  be  found  sufficient  for  an 
animal  of  two  year's  old.     Should  the  disease  occur 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  151 

in  situations,  where  these  medicines  cannot  be  pro- 
cured, give  from  four  to  six  ounces  of  common  s!ilt  in 
a  pint  of  water;  the  addition  of  four  ounces  of  castor 
oil,  sweet  oil,  or  even  linseed  oil ;  will  make  it  more 
efficacious.  Should  the  animal  be  relieved,  by  this 
treatment,  considerable  weakness  may  follow :  for 
which  give  the  following  twice  a  day : 

Powdered  Caraway  seeds,  1  oynce ; 

Ginger,  2  drams. 

To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  oat-meal  gruel  (or  any  other  gruel)  or 
ale. 

The  swollen  parts,  particularly  if  the  joints  are 
affected,  should  be  rubbed  with  the  following  lina- 
ment; 

Take  of  linseed  oil,  4  ounces  ; 

Oil  of  turpentine,  2  ounces  ; 

Liquid  ammonia,  or  spirits  of  sal  ammoniac.  1  ounce. 
Mix. 

Mr.  Lawrence  has  very  properly  advised  that  a 
piece  of  short  or  inferior  keep  should  be  reserved  as 
a  digesting  place,  where  cattle  may  occasionally  be 
turned,  to  empty  and  exercise  themselves.  This  is 
better  than  bleeding,  or  any  medical  preventive;  and 
as  this  disease  frequently  proves  fatal,  preventive  mea- 
sures should  never  be  lost  sight  of. 

MURRAIN  OR  PEST. 

These  terms  correspond  with  that  of  plague  in  the 
human  species,  (and  the  diseases  are  said  to  have  a 
similar  origin,  to  wit,  in  putrid  miasmata,)  and  like 
the  plague  is  attended  with   boils    or  buboes.      The 


162  EVERY    JIAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

plagi^e  of  horned  cattle  is  said  to  be  of  a  peculiar  na. 
ture,  and  not  communicable  to  other  animals.  Yet  in 
a  contagious  disposition  of  the  air,  it  may  chance  that 
various  species  of  animals  may  be  affected  at  the  same 
time.  The  infection  is  first  denoted  by  a  decrease  of 
appetite,  difficulty  of  swallowing,  shaking  the  head, 
hanging  down  of  the  ears,  and  dulness  of  the  eyes. 
Constant  diarrhoea,  or  scouring,  foetid  breath,  nause- 
ous steams  from  the  skin,  infecting  the  surrounding 
air.  The  blood  is  florid,  hot,  and  frothy,  and  the 
urine  high  coloured.  Roof  of  the  mouth  ulcerated. 
Tumours  or  biles  are  felt  under  the  fleshy  membrane 
of  the  skin ;  eruptions  all  along  the  limbs,  and  about 
the  bags  of  the  cows.  Milk  dries  up  suddenly.  The 
animals  groan  much,  and  are  worse  towards  evening, 
mostly  lying  down.  These  symptoms  continue  in- 
creasing until  the  seventh  day,  in  which,  generally, 
although  sometimes  protracted  to  the  ninth,  the  crisis 
or  turn  takes  place. 

Dr.  Darwin  proposes,  when  this  distemper  makes 
its  appearance,  to  slaughter  all  the  cattle  within  five 
miles  of  the  infected  place,  which  appears  to  be  a  very 
harsh  mode  of  proceeding ;  and  although  "  death's  a 
cure  that  never  fails,"  such  a  remedy  is  commonly 
thought  to  be  as  bad  as  the  disease.  Mr.  Lawrence 
advises,  on  the  appearance  of  the  distemper,  to  place 
the  whole  herd  under  the  best  shelter  that  circumstan- 
ces will  allow  ;  to  separate  those  which  are  in  the 
most  advanced  stage  of  the  disease,  and  slaughter  such 
as  good  judges  shall  deem  to  be  in  a  state  too  danger- 
ous for  any  attempt  to  cure,  and  bury  them  pretty 
deep  in  the  ground.  In  a  disease  so  highly  putrid, 
bleeding  should  be  moderate,  yet  in  the  beginning,  he 
thinks  it  will  be  necessary,  as  also  setons  and  rowels. 
"  If  costiveness  prevail,  the  body  must  be  kept  opea 


AND   CATTLE   DOCTOK.  }$3 

by  clysters,  or  the  most  moderate  purges,  but  a  scower- 
ing  is  the  most  usual  symptom.  The  sick-house  must 
be  sufficiently  airy,  yet  well  defended  from  wet  and 
cold.  Acid  fumigations  will  purify  the  atmosphere  of 
the  house,  and  probably  the  fumes  •  being  inhaled  by 
the  beasts  will  have  a  favorable  effect." 

The  emphysema^  windy  abscess,  or  puffing  up  of 
the  hide,  filled  with  a  thin  putrid  matter,  and  foul  air, 
which  nature  furnishes  in  the  last  sta|||,  as  a  means 
of  throwing  off  the  disease,  must  be  opened  at  full 
length,  wherever  situated,  and  the  matter  discharged. 
The  cavity  to  be  filled  with  pledgets  of  tow,  dipped  in 
tincture  of  myrrh,  or  of  an  ointment  composed  of 
powdered  turpentine  and  yolk  of  eggs.  Poultices  of 
oatmeal,  stale  beer,  &c.,  may  be  necessary  to  bring 
the  ulcers  to  a  proper  digestion.  Nitre  has,  of  late, 
been  successfully  used  in  gangrenous  ulcers,  the  cavi- 
ties being  filled  with  it.  The  approach  of  mortifica- 
tion is  indicated  by  the  dark  and  flabby  appearance  of 
the  inside  of  the  mouth,  coldness,  insensibility,  black- 
ness and  an  ill  scent  of  the  dung,  sanious  and  foul 
discharge  from  the  mouth  and  nose,  and  dullness  of 
the  eyes.  On  the  return  of  health,  mild,  cleansing 
purges  will  be  necessary,  but  the  danger  of  mortification 
must  be  fairly  passed.  The  recovered  beast  must  not 
be  suddenly  exposed  to  the  air,  but  only  turned  out  a 
few  hours  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  particularly 
throughout  winter.  Sudden  exposure  has  subjected 
many  convalescents  to  a  vertigo  of  giddiness,  and  con- 
sumption. 

M.  Sauvages,  the  celebrated  professor  of  medicine 
at  Montpelier,  was  an  accurate  observer  of  this  disor- 
der, when  it  raged  with  great  violence  in  many  parts 
of  Europe.  He  calculated  that  of  twenty  who  were 
attacked  by  it  nineteen  died ;  that  no  certain  remedy 


154  EVERY   MAN  HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

had  been  discovered,  or  any  effectual  mode  of  pre- 
ventive, except  separating  the  healthy  from  the  sick  ; 
he  recommends,  however,  bleeding  and  purging  at  the 
commencement  of  the  disorder,  with  setons  in  tne 
dewlap.  After  the  operation  of  the  purgative,  he  con- 
siders opiates,  aromatics,  &c.,  such  as  caraway  seeds, 
ginger,  cascarilla,  &c.,  as  the  most  proper  medicine. 

A  writer  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  quoted  with 
approbation,  ^  Dr.  W.  Peck,  a  late  learned  and  judi- 
cious writer  on  veterinary  medicine  gives  the  following 
directions  to  prevent  and  cure  the  disease. 

First.  Avoid  infection  with  the  utmost  diligence. 
Secondly,  Trust  to  none  of  the  celebrated  remedies 
that  may  be  propos'ed  to  you,  unless  founded  on  expe- 
rience; most  that  have  been  offered  by  farriers  are 
known  to  be  ineffectual,  and  many  of  them  extremely 
injurious.  Thirdly.  If  your  cattle  are  attacked,  bleed 
plentifully,  repeatedly,  and  keep  their  bodies  open. 
Fourthly.  Give  them  no  dry  food  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  attack  till  the  fever  abates ;  let  their 
mashes  be  thin,  given  warm,  and  very  often,  a  little 
at  once ;  keep  them  dry  and  warm.  Fifthly.  Give 
no  warm  spicy  drenches,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
disease. 

CATARRH,  OR  COLD;  EPIDEMICAL  COLD; 
DISTEMPER. 

Colds  are  very  common,  particularly  in  wet  or  cold 
weather ;  and  though  they  are  often  thought  of  too 
little  importance  to  require  particular  attention,  yet,  by 
neglecting  them,  and  suffering  the  animal  to  continue 
exposed  to  the  weather,  the  most  serious  consequences 
may  ensue.    From  such  neglect  we  often  find  that  the 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOK.      ~  155 

animal  decays  in  flesh  and  strength,  becomes  hide 
bound,  and  has  a  rough  staring  coat ;  at  length  tuber- 
cles form  in  the  lungs,  the  mesenteric  glands  become 
enlarged,  obstructing  the  passage  by  which  nutriment 
is  conveyed  to  the  blood  :  this  is  succeeded  by  atrophy, 
consumption  and  death.  It  is  highly  important,  there- 
fore, to  attend  to  this  disorder  as  soon  as  it  is  dis- 
covered ;  and  it  is  asserted  that  more  good  may  be 
done  by  nursing,  placing  the  animal  in%  warm  situ- 
ation, giving  him  warm  nourishing  fluids,  such  as 
gruel,  infusion  of  malt,  &c.,  than  from  any  medical 
prescriptions. 

Colds  are,  at  some  seasons,  so  prevalent,  as  to  be 
considered  epidemic  and  infectious.  On  such  occa- 
sions they  generally  occur  with  great  violence,  and  are 
accompanied  by  fever,  and  soon  after  the  attack,  by 
considerable  debility. 

On  the  first  attack,  the  animal  appears  dull  and  lan- 
guid ;  the  eyes  are  watery,  and  sometimes  partially 
closed ;  the  appetite  is  diminished ;  and  most  com- 
monly, it  is  attended  with  cough.  Swellings  under  or 
below  the  ears,  difficulty  in  swallowing,  and  a  dis- 
charge from  the  nostrils  are  not  unusual  symptoms  of 
the  complaint.  When  catarrh  prevails  to  this  degree, 
it  is  generally  named  influenza  or  distemper,  and  has 
been  thought  contagious,  but  this  opinion  has  not  been 
proved  to  be  true. 

With  respect  to  the  treatment  of  this  disease  Dr. 
White  observes  that  the  hot  stimulating  drenches 
commonly  recommended,  are  decidedly  improper. 
Bleeding  at  the  commencement  of  colds  is  generally 
proper  ;  the  only  circumstance  which  indicates  its  im- 
propriety, is  considerable  weakness  and  low  condition. 
The  quantity  of  blood  taken  should  seldom  exceed  two 
quarts.   If  the  animal  is  costive,  give  a  laxative  drink ; 


156  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

but  if  he  purges  or  scours,  give  the  following  powder 
in  gruel : 


Powdered  ginger. 

3  drams ; 

Antimonial  powder, 

2  drams ; 

Camphor, 

1 J  dram  ; 

Tincture  of  opium, 

J  ounce. 

To  be  repeated  after  eight  or  ten  hours,  should  it  be 
necessary.  If  there  is  any  difficulty  in  swallowing, 
and  particularly  if  it  be  considerable,  the  following 
linament  should  be  rubbed  about  the  throat : 

Take  of  oil  of  turpentine  and  any  common  oil, 

of each,  1  ounce; 

Liquid  ammonia,  commonly  called  spirits  of  sal 
ammoniac,  ^  ounce ; 

Mix. 

In  common  colds,  however,  says  Dr.  White,  "  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  that  if  the  animal  were  placed  in  a 
comfortable  situation,  and  well  attended  to,  medicine 
would  be  unnecessary.  Even  bleeding,  in  common 
slight  colds,  is  seldom  required ;  but  should  the  ani- 
mal, by  a  change  of  situation,  become  hot  and  feverish, 
should  the  eyes  look  red  and  the  flanks  move  quickly, 
he  should  be  bled  freely;  and  if  in  any  degree  costive, 
the  laxative  (hereafter  mentioned)  should  be  given. 
When  there  are  no  feverish  symptoms  present  the 
laxative  should  be  mixed  with  some  cordial  medicine, 
such  as  an  ounce  of  caraway  seeds,  and  three  or  four 
drachms  of  ginger. 

When  the  influenza,  or  distemper,  has  not  been 
attended  to,  or  has  been  improperly  treated,  at  an  early 
period,  the  animal  becomes  extremely  weak,  and  every 
means  must  he  employed  to  recruit  his  strength.     On 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  157 

such  occasions  a  tonic,  such  as  the  first  mentioned 
prescription,  may  be  given  twice  or  three  times  a  day, 
which  in  conjunction  with  a  warm  nourishing  diet,  and 
careful  attendance,  may  ultimately  effect  a  recovery. 

If  the  animal  should  become  costive,  a  mild  laxative 
will  be  proper ;  about  half  a  dose  will  be  sufficient. 
If  grass  can  be  conveniently  procured,  when  the  ani- 
mal is  kept  under  cover  a  moderate  quantity  will  be 
useful.  In  favorable  weather,  the  field  is  the  best 
place ;  but  a  shelter  and  warm  situation  should  be 
chosen. 

LAXATIVE. 

Sulphate  of  soda  (glauber's  salts)  1  pound , 

■  Gruel,  1  quart; 

Powdered  caraway  seeds,  1  ounce. 

Mix  for  one  dose. 

Whenever  the  disease  appears  to  be  epidemic,  pre- 
ventive means. should  be  adopted,  which  is  more  par- 
ticularly necessary  when  rain  and  cold  winds  prevail. 
Catarrh  or  cold  is  often  an  insidious  complaint,  and, 
if  neglected,  may  produce  very  serious  consequences. 

Whenever  caraway  or  any  of  the  aromatic  seeds 
are  employed,  they  should  not  be  purchased  in  powder, 
as  they  do  not  keep  well  in  this  form. 

Mr.  Lawrence  observes  that  "  the  influenza  or  epi- 
demic cold  arises  from  frequent  changes  of  the  air, 
and  the  prevalence  of  north-east  and  easterly  winds. 
As  a  great  number,  whether  of  men  or  animals,  may 
be  seized  with  this  species  of  catarrh,  at  the  same  time 
and  for  the  same  cause,  it  has  been  supposed  conta- 
gious, which  indeed,  may  probably  be  the  case  in  its 
inveterate  and  putrid  state.  This  disorder  is  most 
prevalent  in  the  spring,  which  succeeds  a  mild  winter, 
14 


158  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARBIEB 

when  particular  care  should  be  taken  that  cattle  are 
not  exposed  to  currents  of  air  from  the  north-east.  I 
have  known  a  whole  fold-yard  of  oxen,  horses  and 
cows,  dangerously  affected  in  one  night." 

Mr.  Lawrence  advises  "if  the  animal  shivers  with 
cold,  and  has  cold  breath,  give  a  quart  of  warm  ale, 
(beer  or  warm  water  would  answer  probably  as  well,) 
in  which  is  infused  a  table-spoonful  of  grated  ginger, 
two  of  spirits  of  hartshorn,  and  one  of  laudanum,  re- 
peating It  in  six  hours,  if  the  chilly  symptoms  con- 
tinue, allowing  warm  water  and  a  deep  bed  of  straw. 
If  feverish  heat  comes  on,  give  nitre  in  warm  water : 
when  fever  becomes  predominant,  bleed  two  quarts, 
unless  the  animal  be  a  milch  cow,  which  never  ought 
to  be  bled  but  in  extreme  necessity,  and  one  ounce -of 
cream  of  tartar,  in  three  pints  of  warm  gruel,  sweet- 
ened with  honey  or  treacle,  (molasses.)  On  recovery 
of  the  beast,  accustom  it  to  the  air  by  degrees,  and 
notwithstanding  having  been  nursed  in  the  house,  it 
will  again  become  equally  hardy  as  before." 

PERIPNEUMONY,  PLEURISY,  OR  INFLAM- 
MATION OF  THE  LUNGS. 

This  disease  most  commonly  occurs  to  working 
cattle  from  over  exertion,  or  from  being  suffered  to 
drink  largely  of  cold  water,  immediately  after  work- 
ing hard,  and  when  in  a  state  of  perspiration.  P 
symptoms  are  shivering,  loss  of  appetite,  an  appeal 
ance  of  anxiety  or  depression,  an  increased  motion  of 
the  flanks,  or  quickness  of  breathing,  cough,  opening 
the  mouth,  a  discharge  from  the  mouth  and  nose  of 
a  glutinous  nature,  the  inside  of  the  nose  red,  eyes 
dull,  pulse  hard,  mouth  harsh  and  dry,  skin  stiff, 
cold  extremities,  body  full  as  if  swelled  with  herbage, 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  159 

holds  its  head  low  and  moves  with  difficulty,  costive, 
on  lifting  the  upper  eyelid  its  under  surface  will  be 
found  unusually  red,  sometimes  approaching  to  orange. 
If  the  disease  happens  to  a  milch  cow,  she  soon  looses 
her  milk,  and  the  ears,  legs,  and  horns  are  generally 
cold. 

Dr.  White  says,  "  early  bleeding  is  the  grand  spe- 
cific in  this  complaint ;  but  it  must  not  be  done  sparingly. 
A  cow  or  ox  in  tolerable  condition,  may  lose  from  four 
to  six  quarts  with  advantage;  and,  if  the  symptoms 
do  not  abate  in  four  or  six  hours,  the  operation  should 
be  repeated,  to  the  extent  of  three  or  four  quarts,  un- 
less the  animal  faint ;  whenever  this  occurs,  on  any 
occasion,  the  bleeding  of  course  must  be  stopped. 
Faintness,  however,  when  the  disease  is  really  inflam- 
mation of  the  lungs,  is  by  no  means  an  unfavorable 
effect  of  bleeding ;  it  is  proof  that  the  operation  has 
been  carried  to  its  full  extent,  and  a  recovery  is  most 
likely  to  happen.  A  large  seton  should  be  put  in  the 
dewlap,  and  moistened  with  oil  of  turpentine ;  and  the 
sides  should  be  well  rubbed  with  the  following  embro- 
cation : 

Take  of  flower  of  mustard,  4  ounces ; 

Oil  of  turpentine,  2  ounces  ; 

Water  of  ammonia,  2  ounces. 

The  whole  to  be  mixed  with  as  much  water  as  will  bring  it  to 

the  consistence  of  cream. 

Immediately  after  bleeding,  give  the  following  drink : 

Take  of  camphor,  2  drams  ; 

Nitre,  1^  ounces; 

Powdered  caraway  seeds,  1  ounce. 

To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  gruel. 

«*  Should  the  animal  be  costive,  a  clyster  should  be 


160  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

administered,  consisting  of  about  three  or  four  quarts 
of  warm  water,  and  half  a  pound  of  common  salt. 
A  pint  of  castor  oil,  also,  may  be  added  to  the  above 
drink  ;  if  this  cannot  be  procured,  sweet  oil,  linseed 
oil  or  even  melted  lard  may  be  substituted. 

"  It  is  a  bad  plan  to  take  only  a  small  quantity  of 
blood  daily,  or  every  other  day  as  has  been  advised ; 
for  though  it  may  sometimes  retard  the  progress  of 
inflammation,  yet  the  animal  will  eventually  be  des- 
troyed by  it.  Stimulating  or  heating  medicines  are' 
highly  pernicious. 

"  Inflammation  of  the  lungs  is  a  term,  that  has  un- 
fortunately been  too  often  applied  to  diseases  of  a 
different  kind  ;  and  it  is  from  this  error  perhaps,  that 
strong  stimulating  medicines  have  been  recommended 
on  such  occasions.  There  is  an  affection  of  the  lungs 
and  parts  connected  with  them,  which  will  not  admit 
of  the  copious  bleeding  I  have  recommended ;  but  the 
symptoms  are  widely  different.  There  is  not  that 
difficulty  and  quickness  in  breathing  ;  the  pulse  is 
weak  but  not  much  quicker  than  usual ;  the  kerneUi 
or  glands  about  the  throat  are  often  swollen ;  some- 
times there  is  considerable  difficulty  of  swallowing, 
which  is  particularly  seen  when  the  animal  attempts 
to  drink  ;  in  short  this  is  nothing  more  than  a  severe 
degree  of  catarrh  or  cold  ;  but,  even  in  this  complaint, 
moderate  bleeding  is  necessary,  and  powerful  stimu- 
lants are  exceedingly  pernicious.  When  the  disease, 
however,  has  not  been  discovered  for  some  days,  and 
the  animal  appears  much  weakened  by  it,  bleeding  is 
of  course  improper." 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  STOMACH. 
"  The  complicated  structure  of  this  organ,  in  ru- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  161 

minating  animals,  renders  it  peculiarly  liable  to  dis- 
ease ;  inflammation,  however,  does  not  appear  to  occur 
frequently  as  a  primary  disorder,  but  is  more  com- 
monly a  consequence  of  some  offensive  matter  lodged 
in  one  of  the  four  stomachs,  or  from  the  animal's  feed- 
ing so  greedily,  as  to  weaken  the  organ,  and  prevent 
its  performing  its  functions.  In  either  of  these  cases, 
the  principal  object  is  to  get  rid  of  the  offensive  matter, 
by  invigorating  the  weakened  stomach,  and  enabling 
it  to  expel  the  matter  by  which  it  is  oppressed.  Should 
inflammation  attack  the  stomach,  independently  of  this 
cause,  that  is,  without  any  hurtful  matter  having  been 
swallowed,  or  any  improper  accumulation  of  food,  the 
principal  remedies  would  be  plentiful  bleeding  and 
abstinence  from  food. — Whitens  treatise  on  veterinary 
medicine. 

Dr.  Peck  says  that  the  symptoms  of  this  disorder  are 
violent  pain  in  the  stomach  ;  large  blisters  rise  some- 
times on  the  inside  of  the  mouth  ;  the  animal  is  very 
restless,  and  appears  to  have  the  pain  increased  by 
every  thing  that  is  swallowed,  which  frequently  brings 
a  cough ;  the  body  feels  clammy  with  sweat ;  diffi- 
culty of  breathing.  He  attributes  the  cause  to  over- 
loading the  stomach  ;  cold  water ;  acid  matter,  or 
poisonous  substances  ;  not  sufficient  water  in  dry  sum- 
mers. The  treatment  recommended  by  this  author  is 
to  bleed  freely  every  day,  if  necessary;  keep  the  body 
open  with  castor  oil,  &c.,  afterwards  give  febrifuges 
(such  as  glauber's  salt,  nitre,  salt  of*  tartar,  spirits  of 
nitrous  ether)  as  in  other  cases  of  inflammation. 
When  the  animal  is  recovering,  give  it  food  sparingly, 
a  little  warm,  such  as  scalding  malt  with  warm 
water,  &c. 

14* 


162  EVERY   HAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BOWELS. 

The  principal  symptom  of  this  disease  is  a  griping 
pain,  which  causes  the  animal  to  lie  down  frequently, 
and  rise  with  difficulty.  He  frequently  turns  his  head 
towards  his  belly,  and  endeavours  to  strike  it  with  his 
hind  foot ;  the  body  is  full ;  the  eyes  dull ;  the  pulse 
strong  and  quick.  The  quickness  of  the  pulse  forms 
a  distinction  between  this  complaint  and  the  gripes,  in 
which  latter  disorder,  the  pulse  is  sometimes  hard,  but 
seldom  quickened.  When  the  pain  is  violent,  a  copi- 
ous perspiration  takes  place.  When  proper  remedies 
are  not  employed,  the  disease  terminates  in  mortifica- 
tion and  death.  In  the  treatment  of  this  complaint, 
the  circumstances  of  the  case  must  be  carefully  at- 
tended to.  If  the  pulse  is  much  quicker  than  natural, 
the  under  surface  of  the  eyelid  unusually  red,  and  the 
breathing  disturbed,  let  a  large  quantity  of  blood  im- 
mediately be  taken  away,  even  five  or  six  quarts  ;  and 
then,  unless  the  bowels  are  unusually  open,  give  the 
following  drink : 

Sulphate  of  magnesia  (epsom  salts,)      8  ounces ; 
Castor  oil,  1  pint ; 

Gruel,  1  pint. 

Dissolve  the  salts  in  the  gruel,  and  add  to  them  the  oil,  for  one 
dose. 

The  operation  of  this  drink  should  be  assisted  by 
clysters.  When  all  the  above  symptoms,  however, 
are  not  observable  ;  if  the  under  surface  of  the  eyelid 
is  not  redder  than  usual,  or  if  it  is  rather  pale ;  if  the 
pulse  is  nearly  in  its  natural  state ;  and  particularly  if 
the  animal  is  rather  loose,  or  scours,  the  bleeding  should 
be  moderate ;  and  if  the  animal  be  rather  weak  and  in 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  163 

low  condition,  it  had  better  be  omitted.    The  following 
anodyne  drink  is  to  be  given : 

Tincture  of  opium,  i  ounce ; 

Spirit  of  nitrous  ether,  2  ounces; 

Water,  1  pint. 

Mix  for  one  dose. 

When  the  animal  has  been  kept  sometime  on  dry- 
food,  and  is  apparently  costive,  relief  can  only  be  ob- 
tained by  some  laxative  drink,  like  that  first  above 
mentioned,  and  clysters.  Bleeding,  however,  must  not 
be  omitted,  particularly  if  the  pulse  is  quickened,  the 
under  surface  of  the  eyelid  redder  than  natural,  and 
the  breathing  disturbed.  If  the  laxative  prove  in- 
effectual in  removing  costiveness,  it  should  be  re- 
peated. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LIVER. 

"  The  structure  of  this  organ  in  horned  cattle  and 
sheep,  is  different  from  that  of  the  horse;  the  latter 
has  no  gall  bladder,  but  in  the  former  there  is  one  of 
considerable  size.  It  is  on  this  account,  perhaps,  that 
cattle  are  more  subject  to  diseases  of  the  liver  than 
the  horse.  I  do  not  believe  that  inflammation  of  the 
liver  often  occurs  in  so  acute  a  form  as  to  require 
bleeding  largely  ;  it  is  more  commonly  of  a  cronic  or 
slow  kind,  causing  a  defective  action  in  the  organ,  in 
consequence  of  which  an  unhealthy  kind  of  bile  is 
formed,  which*  plugs  up  the  ducts  of  the  liver,  and 
causes  a  derangement  in  the  organs  connected  with 
it." — White's  Treatise. 

The  symptoms  of  this  disorder,  according  to  Dr. 
Peck,  are  difficult  breathing ;  swelling  about  the  short 


164  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIEI^ 

ribs ;  pulse  harcl,  full  and  frequent,  thirst ;  yellowness 
of  the  eyes ;  costiveness,  &c.  Fat  beasts  are  most 
subject  to  this  complaint  in  hot  weather,  by  being  over 
heated  in  driving,  or  running  about*  the  pasture ;  by 
being  exposed  to  severe  cold,  when  hot.  The  treat- 
ment recommended  by  Dr.  Peck,  is  to  bleed  according 
to  the  symptoms ;  give  cathartics,  (purges)  clysters, 
febrifuges,  &c.;  Diet,  mashes  made  of  scalded  bran 
and  malt;  blister  the  sides  of  the  belly,  and  rowe' 
underneath. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

The  following  are  the  symptoms  of  this  disorder : 
quick  pulse,  loss  of  appetite,  the  animal  is  frequently 
endeavoring  to  stale,  and  voids  only  a  small  quantity 
with  much  difficulty  and  pain ;  pressure  on  the  loins 
gives  pain,  and  causes  the  animal  to  shrink  or  give 
way  to  it ;  there  is  generally,  considerable  stiffness  in 
the  hind  parts,  observable  when  the  animal  attempts 
to  walk  :  the  urine  is  commonly  of  a  dark  red  color. 
This  disease  is,  however,  very  different,  from  that 
named  red  water,  (to  be  treated  of  hereafter,)  and 
unless  properly  treated  at  its  commencement,  often 
terminates  fatally.  Dr.  Peck  says,  the  symptoms  that 
are  of  a  favorable  nature,  are,  urine  high,  or  a  coffee 
color,  discharged  in  large  quantities  ;  afterwards  copi- 
ous, thick,  and  mixed  with  mucus.  The  unfavorable 
are,  sudden  cessation  of  pain  ;  urine  dribbling  away 
in  small  quantities,  of  a  black  and  foetid  colour  and 
smell.  The  disorder  is  caused  by  violent  blows  across 
the  loins,  small  stones  or  gravel  being  lodged  within 
the  kidneys ;  violent  motion  or  hard  driving  in  hot  and 
sultry  weather. 

Let  the  animal  be  bled  freely  and  take  a  pint  of 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  165 

castor  oil.  If  the  dung  is  at  all  hard,  or  deficient  in 
quantity,  let  clysters  or  warm  water,  with  a  little 
sweet  oil,  be  employed.  The  liniment  or  embrocation, 
directed  for  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  (see  page  159,) 
should  be  rubbed  on  the  loins ;  after  which,  let  them 
be  well  clothed,  or  covered  with  a  fresh  sheep  or  lamb's 
skin. 

When  the  pain  and  difficulty,  or  rather  the  almost 
constant  straining  to  stale  continues,  afler  the  castor 
oil  has  operated,  and  the  bowels  have  been  sufficiently 
opened,  an  anodyne  clyster  may  be  administered,  con- 
sisting of  about  one  ounce  and  an  half  of  tincture  of 
opium,  in  one  quart  of  gruel ;  or,  from  one  drachm  to 
two  of  crude  opium,  dissolved  in  warm  water,  and 
mixed  with  gruel. 

If  the  animal  is  very  thirsty,  he  should  be  restrained 
from  drinking ;  and  what  he  takes  should  be  impreg- 
nated with  some  mucilaginous  substance  ;  an  infusion 
of  linseed,  or  decoction  of  marsh  mallows  is  very 
proper. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN. 

This  disease  is  a  kind  of  madness,  attended  with 
ravings  and  constant  watchings ;  slow  respiration  :  a 
strong  pulsation  in  the  temporal  arteries,  and  some- 
times irregular ;  running  at  the  nose ;  the  animal  ap- 
pears in  a  very  fierce  state,  as  if  seized  with  a  turbu- 
lent kind  of  madness ;  the  eyes  appear  much  inflamed 
and  ready  to  start  from  the  orbits;  the  beast  falls 
down  of  a  sudden,  and  rises  again  with  the  same 
volatility,  until  nature  is  quite  exhausted ;  a  constant 
trembling  and  starting  of  the  tendons  ;  a  dry  and  harsh 
skin ;  a  suppression   of  the   urine ;  grinding  of  the 


166  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

teeth  and  a  total  want  of  rest ;  these  last  are  unfavor- 
able symptoms. 

The  cause  of  this  disorder  is  found  in  too  great  an 
efflux  of  blood  pressing  on  the  temporal  arteries ;  from 
which  an  increased  action  takes  place ;  wounds  or 
contusions  on  the  head ;  suppressions  of  the  natural 
evacuations. 

The  cure  should  be  sought  by  bleeding  freely,  ac- 
cording to  the  violence  of  the  symptoms  and  the 
strength  of  the  animal,  in  the  jugular  vein;  keep  the 
bowels  open  with  castor  oil,  and  other  purging  medi- 
cines. Blister  the  side  of  the  neck  with  flies  and 
spirits  of  turpentine. 

From  what  has  been  said  of  the  treatment  of  dis- 
eases, caused  by  inflammation  of  the  internal  organs 
of  the  body,  it  will  be  seen  that  they  are  all  of  a  dan- 
gerous nature,  and  require  the  earliest  attention  ;  that 
they  are  generally  the  consequence  of  improper  man- 
agement or  neglect,  and  may  therefore,  most  commonly 
be  prevented ;  and  that  the  most  essential  remedy  is 
early  and  copious  bleeding,  with  laxative  medicine. 

FOG  SICKNESS,  HOVEN  OR  BLOWN. 

"  We  come  now  to  treat  of  a  class  of  diseases  still 
more  important,  with  respect  to  horned  cattle,  than  the 
foregoing ;  that  is,  obstruction,  or  imperfect  action,  in 
the  organs  subservient  to  digestion.  Under  this  head 
will  be  brought  Fog  Sickness,  Hoven,  or  Blown; 
Ctripes,  or  Flatulent  Colic  ;  Indigestion,  loss  of  the 
Cud;  and  Jaundice,  or  Yellows,  These  diseases, 
however,  will  be  belter  understood,  if  we  give  in  the 
first  place,  a  short  description  of  the  cow's  stomach. 
All  animals,  which  ruminate,  have  more  than  one  sto- 
mach ;  in  the  cow  there  are  four ;  the  first  is  consider- 


AND    CATTLE   DOCTOR.  167 

ably  larger  than  the  rest,  lies  on  the  left  side,  and  is 
commonly  called  the  paunch.  The  food,  having  been 
sufficiently  macerated  in  this  stomach,  is  forced  up 
gradually  into  the  mouth,  where  it  undergoes  a  com- 
plete mastication,  which  is  termed  chewing  the  cud. 
The  food  is  then  again  swallowed,  and  conveyed  to 
the  second  stomach,  for  the  gullet  opens  indifferently 
into  both.  It  ends  exactly  where  the  two  stomachs 
meet ;  and  thefe  is  a  smooth  gutter,  with  rising  edges, 
which  leads  into  the  second  stomach,  and  thence  to 
the  third  and  fourth  :  the  animal  however,  has  power 
to  direct  it  into  which  it  will.  The  second  stomach  is 
named  bonnet,  or  king's  hood.  Its  internal  surface 
consists  of  cells,  resembling  a  honey-comb  ;  where  the 
food  undergoes  a  farther  maceration,  and  is  then  con- 
veyed to  the  third  stomach,  called  manyplies ;  because 
its  internal  surface  rises  up  into  many  folds.  Some 
of  those  folds  are  longer  than  others,  and  on  their  sur- 
face small  glands  may  be  seen,  something  like  millet 
seed.  From  this  it  passes  into  the  fourth  or  red  sto- 
mach, commonly  called  the  caul.  This  much  resem- 
bles the  human  stomach,  or  that  of  the  dog ;  only  the 
inner  folds  are  longer  and  looser. 

Here  the  food  is  perfectly  digested,  and  prepared  for 
the  nourishment  of  the  animal.  When  cows  or  sheep 
are  turned  into  a  fresh  pasture,  of  a  different  kind  from 
that  they  have  been  accustomed  to,  they  sometimes  eat 
so  greedily,  that  the  stomach  is  incapable  of  contract- 
ing, or  forcing  back  its  contents  into  the  mouth.  When 
this  happens,  the  food  undergoes  a  kind  of  fermenta- 
tion, in  consequence  of  which  a  great  deal  of  air  is 
generated,  and  the  paunch  so  excessively  extended, 
that,  if  the  animal  is  not  relieved,  it  will  either  burst 
or  destroy  him  by  suffocation.  An  instrument  has 
been  invented  by  Mr.  Eager,  for  giving  vent  to  the 


168  EVERY    MAN   HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

confined  air,  which  is  very  simple  and  appears  to  have 
answered  the  purpose  completely.  It  consists  of  a 
cane  six  feet  in  length,  with  a  round  knob  of  wood, 
perfectly  secured  at  one  end.  An  assistant  is  to  lay 
hold  of  the  cow's  horn  with  one  hand,  and  the  part 
which  divides  the  nostrils  with  the  other.  The  opera- 
tor is  to  take  the  tongue  in  his  left  hand,  and  with  his 
right  he  is  to  force  the  instrument  down  the  gullet. 
As  soon  as  it  enters  the  paunch  a  great  deal  of  air  will 
rush  out.  The  instrument  may  remain  in  the  stomach, 
without  injuring  the  animal,  until  the  air  is  perfectly 
evacuated. 

"  It  sometimes  happens  that  the  distention  of  the 
paunch  takes  place  so  suddenly,  and  in  so  dangerous 
a  degree,  that  no  tim6  is  allowed  for  using  the  instru* 
ment ;  in  this  case  a  sharp  pointed  pen-knife  may  be 
plunged  mto  the  paunch  through  the  skin,  by  which 
the  confined  air  will  immediately  escape. 

There  is  no  difficulty  or  danger  in  the  operation ; 
nor  is  any  other  instrument  required  than  a  sharp 
pointed  pen-knife.  Should  the  opening  be  plugged  up 
with  the  contents  of  the  paunch,  they  may  be  removed, 
or  the  orifice  kept  open  with  a  probe  or  feather.  When 
all  the  air  has  escaped,  let  the  wound  be  closed  with 
any  kind  of  sticking  plaister,  or  pitch.  This  opening 
is  to  be  made  on  the  left  side,  between  the  haunch  bone 
and  the  last  rib." — Whitens  Treatise. 

Clayter,  an  English  writer  on  Farriery,  directs  this 
last  mentioned  operation  to  be  performed  in  the  follow- 
ing manner. 

"Take  a  sharp  pen-knife  and  gently  introduce  it 
into  the  paunch  between  the  haunch  bone  and  the  last 
rib  on  the  left  side.  This  will  instantly  give  vent  to  a 
large  quantity  of  foetid  air ;  a  small  tube  of  a  suffi- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  169 

cient  length  may  then  be  introduced  into  the  wound,* 
and  remain  there  until  the  air  is  sufficiently  evacuated ; 
afterwards  take  out  the  tube,  and  lay  a  pitch  plaister 
over  the  orifice.  Wounds  of  this  kind  are  seldom  at^ 
tended  with  danger  ;  when  it  has  arisen,  it  has  been 
occasioned  by  the  injudicious  operator  introducing  hia 
knife  into  the  wrong  part.  After  the  wind  is  expelled, 
and  the  body  has  been  reduced  to  its  natural  state,  let 
a  cordial  drench  be  given. 

Dr.  Monro,  Professor  of  anatomy  at  Edinburgh,  in- 
vented an  instrument,  which  was  intended  to  answer 
the  same  purpose  with  the  invention  of  Mr.  Eager, 
above  mentioned.  It  consists  of  an  iron  wire  about 
one  sixteenth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  twisted  round  a 
rod  three  eights  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  made  of 
polished  iron,  in  order  to  give  it  a  cylindrical  form; 
the  wire,  after  being  taken  off*  the  rod,  should  be  cov- 
ered with  smooth  leather. 

To  the  end  of  the  tube,  which  is  intended  to  be 
passed  into  the  stomach,  a  brass  pipe  two  inches  lon^, 
of  the  same  size,  or  rather  bigger  than  the  tube,  is  to 
be  firmly  connected ;  and  to  prevent  the  tube  from 
bending  too  much  within  the  mouth  or  gullet,  an  iron 
wire,  one  eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  of  the 
same  length  as  the  tube,  is  put  within,  but  afterwards 
withdrawn,  when  the  tube  has  entered  the  stomach,  as 
Dr.  Monro  has  ascertained  that  the  distance  from  the 
fore  teeth  to  the  bottom  of  the  first  stomach  of  a  large 
ox,  is  about  six  feet,  the  tube  ought  to  be  at  least  two 
yards  long,  that  it  may  operate  efliectually  in  the  lar- 
gest oxen.  When  the  instrument  has  been  introduced 
into  the  stomach,  it  may  remain  there  for  any  length 
of  time,  as  it  does  not  obstruct  the  respiration  of  the 

*  This  may  be  of  elder,  sumach,  or  a  turkey,  or  goose  quill. 
15 


170  EVERY    MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

animal :  the  greater  part  of  the  condensed  air  will  be 
speedily  discharged  through  the  tube  :  and  should  any- 
ardent  spirits,  or  other  liquor  calculated  to  check  the 
fermentation,  be  deemed  necessary,  it  may  be  safely 
injected  through  this  pipe.  In  short  the  flexible  tube 
here  described,  has  been  found  of  infinite  service  in 
saving  the  lives  of  cattle  and  especially  of  sheep,  when 
subject  to  similar  disorders,  or  any  other  swelling  pe- 
culiar to  those  creatures.  (See  Domestic  Encyclope- 
dia, Art.  Cattle.) 

The  33d  vol.  of  Mr.  Young's  Annals  of  AgricuU 
ture,  announces  the  following  recipes  as  a  specific  for 
this  disease,  even  in  the  most  desperate  cases  ;  effect- 
ing a  cure  within  the  short  space  of  half  an  hour. 
Take  three  quarters  of  a  pint  of  olive  oil,  and  one 
pint  of  melted  butter  or  hog's  lard  ;  give  this  mixture 
by  means  of  a  horn  or  bottle ;  and  if  it  does  not  pro- 
duce a  favorable  change  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  re- 
peat the  same  quantity  and  walk  the  animal  gently 
about.  For  sheep  attacked  with  this  malady,  the  dose 
is  from  a  wine  glass  and  a  half,  to  two  glasses. 

The  following  simple  remedy  we  have  been  told  is 
effectual,  but  cannot  say  to  what  extent  it  may  be  re- 
hed  on.  Make  about  a  pint  of  lie,  either  with  hot 
embers  thrown  into  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water,  or 
by  dissolving  therein  about  an  ounce  of  pot  or  pearl 
ash,  and  turn  it  down  the  throat  of  the  ox  or  cow  af- 
fected. A  proportionably  less  quantity  is  said  to  an- 
swer for  a  sheep.  This  medicine,  we  are  informed, 
operates  by  neutralizing  and  absorbing  the  carbonic 
acid  gas  in  the  stomach  of  the  creature,  which  causes 
the  swelling  and  other  symptoms  to  subside.  We 
wish  this  remedy  might  be  tried,  and  its  results  made 
public.  We  suspect,  however,  that  in  extreme  cases, 
it  will  be  necessary  either  to  make  an  incision,  or 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR. 


171 


make  use  of  Dr.  Munro's  flexible  tube,  or  Mr.  Eager*s 
cane  with  a  knob  of  wood  at  its  end.  Where  tl^e 
danger,  however,  does  not  appear  to  be  imminent, 
there  is  Httle  doubt  but  that  either  the  oil  and  lard, 
or  the  lie,  as  mentioned  above,  would  prove  effectual. 
When  the  animal  has  obtained  relief  by  the  means 
mentioned  above,  one  of  the  following  drinks,  is  by 
Dr.  White  recommended  to  be  given. 


No.  1. 


Powdered  ginger, 
Spirit  of  nitrous  ether, 
Oil  of  peppermint. 
Warm  water, 

^  ounce; 
2  ounces ; 
30  drops; 
1  pint. 

Mix  for  one  dose. 

No.  2. 

Powdered  caraway, 

Ginger, 

Warm  ale,  or  warm  water, 

1  ounce ; 
1  dram; 
1  pint. 

Mix. 

No.  3. 

Powdered  gentian, 
Oascarilla  bark. 
Warm  ale,  or  water, 

1  ounce ; 

2  drams ; 
1  pint. 

Mix. 


An  infusion  of  camomile  flowers  and  ginger  is  also 
a  good  stomachic  in  such  cases. 

When  cattle  have  suffered  a  severe  attack  of  this 
disease,  the  stomach  is  generally  weakened  by  it ; 
great  care  therefore,  is  necessary,  in  order  to  prevent 
a  return.  For  several  days  after,  they  should  be  fed 
rather  sparingly,  or  not  be  allowed  to  eat  much  at  one 


172  EVERY   MAN   5IS   OWN   FARRIER 

time;  and  every  morning  and  evening  for  three  or 
four  days,  may  take  one  of  the  above  drenches. 

Sheep  are  liable  to  a  similar  disease,  and  may  be 
relieved  by  the  same  remedies.  The  instrument,  how- 
ever, employed  for  sheep,  need  not  be  more  than  three 
feet  in  length :  it  should  also  be  smaller  and  more 
flexible.  It  has  been  said  that  a  common  cart  whip, 
may  on  emergencies,  be  made  to  answer  the  purpose, 
if  used  with  dexterity. 

Any  one,  unaccustomed  to  handle  cattle,  would  find 
some  difficulty  in  using  Mr.  Eager's  instrument ;  but 
if  the  horn  be  held  firmly  with  the  left  hand,  and  the 
part  which  divides  the  nostrils  be  grasped  firmly  with 
the  right  hand,  the  animal  will  generally  submit  quietly 
to  the  operator. 

GRIPES,  OR  FLATULENT  COLIC. 

Tntfe  disease,  in  horned  cattle,  is  generally  the  eflfect 
of  costiveness,  or  a  retention  of  food  in  the  third  sto. 
mach- 

Sometimes,  however,  it  happens,  when  the  bowels 
are  in  a  lax,  or  natural  state.  Cows  that  are  fed  upon 
grains  are  very  liable  to  this  complaint ;  such,  also,  as 
are  kept  upon  dry  food  are  often  attacked  by  it.  When 
colic  takes  place,  independent  of  costiveness,  it  is 
generally  occasioned  by  feeding  greedily  upon  fresh 
succulent  grass,  or  by  drinking  cold  water  when  heated 
by  exercise,  and  comes  on  rather  suddenly ;  but  when 
it  is  caused  by  costiveness,  the  attack  is  generally  more 
gradual. 

The  symptoms  are  at  first,  an  appearance  of  rest- 
lessness in  the  animal,  often  lying  down,  groaning,  or 
striking  against  the  belly  with  the  hind  feet  or  horns. 
The  body  is  often  swollen,  which  is  most  observable 


AND   CATTLE   DOCTOR.  173 

on  the  left  side.  The  pulse  is  generally  in  its  natural 
state.  If  proper  remedies  are  not  administered,  the 
pain  becomes  more  violent,  and  at  length  inflammation 
takes  place,  which  is  indicated  by  the  pulse  becoming 
very  quick,  and  the  ears,  horns  and  feet  cold ;  when 
this  happens  the  disorder  most  commonly  terminates 
in  death.  When  the  colic  appears  to  arise  from  cos- 
tiveness,  purging  medicines  are  of  course  the  essential 
remedy ;  but  they  should  be  combined  with  aromatics, 
or  stimulants,  as  in  the  following  prescription ;  and  if 
the  animal  is  in  good  condition,  or  the  inner  surface 
of  the  eyelid  is  unusually  red,  it  should  be  bled  freely  ; 
but  if  the  complaint  is  attended  with  looseness,  or  the 
bowels  are  in  their  natural  lax  state,  particularly  if  the 
animal  appears  rather  weak,  and  the  inner  surface  of 
the  eyelid  pale,  the  following  carminative  drink  should 
be  given,  and  no  blood  taken  away.  When  the  purg- 
ing drink  is  found  necessary  its  operation  may  be  pro- 
moted by  clysters.  It  may  not  be  unnecessary  to 
observe  that  when  the  colic  is  caused  by  feeding  greedily 
on  grains,  or  any  other  kind  of  food,  the  cow  must  be 
fed  cautiously  for  several  days  after,  and  take  the  sto- 
machic drink,  hereafter  mentioned,  once  or  twice  a 
day,  in  order  to  restore  the  tone  or  energy  of  the  sto- 
mach. On  the  other  hand,  should  the  disease  have 
been  occasioned  by  costiveness,  or  feeding  upon  dry 
food,  the  state  of  the  bowels  must  be  attended  to  after 
the  animal  has  been  relieved  by  the  operation  of  the 
purgative  drink :  as  the  tendency  to  costiveness  will 
probably  continue,  unless  it  be  removed  by  a  change 
of  food.  When  this  cannot  be  done,  some  salt  should 
be  mixed  with  the  food  if  the  animal  will  eat  it ;  if  not 
he  should  be  drenched  with  three  or  four  ounces  of 
salt  dissolved  in  water  daily;  this  will  serve  to  open 
his  bowels  in  a  slight  degree,  and  increase  his  ap- 


174 


EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 


petite  for  water,  with  which  he  should  be  freely  sup- 
plied. 

PURGING  DRINK. 

Barbadoes  aloes,  -  ^  ounce ; 

Carbonate  of  potash,  or  common  potash,  3  drams; 

Powdered  ginger,  J  ounce  ; 

Water,  1  pint; 

Oil  of  turpentine,  1  ounce; 

Linseed  oil,  8  ounces. 
Mix  for  one  dose. 

When  the  above  medicine  cannot  be  procured  in 
time,  the  following  may  be  substituted  for  it. 

Common  salt,  J  pound ; 

Sweet  oil,  linseed  oil,  or  any  kind  of  oil 
which    is   not  very   rancid,   or   even 

melted  hog's  lard,  J  pound  ; 

Flower  of  mustard,  ]  ounce  ; 

Water,  1  quart. 
To  this  a  glass  of  spirit  may  be  added. 

STOMACHIC  DRINK. 

Powdered  ginger,  i  ounce; 

Powdered  gentian,  1  ounce ; 

Carbonate  of  ammonia,  (volatile  salts,)  2  drams; 

Infusion  of  camomile  flowers,  1  pint. 
Mix  for  one  dose. 

CARMINATIVE  DRINK. 


Oil  of  turpentine. 
Tincture  of  opium. 
Spirit  of  nitrous  ether. 
Water, 

Mix  for  one  dose. 

1  ounce ; 
6  drams , 

2  ouuces; 
1  pint. 

White's  Treatise, 

( 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  175 


INDIGESTION  OR  LOSS  OF  THE  CUD. 

Mr.  Lawrence  says  that  in  this  disease,  "  the  beast 
mourns,  and  has  no  appetite,  or  drops  its  food  without 
attennpting  to  swallow  it.  Probably  from  defective 
irritability  in  the  fibres,  or  contracting  muscles  of  the 
rumen  or  cud-bag,  the  animal  is  unable  to  throw  up 
or  ruminate,  of  course  the  bag  remains  loaded  and 
obstructed.  The  intention  is  to  remove  the  obstruc- 
tion and  re-invigorate  the  animal  fibres,  Let  the  ani- 
mal fast  some  time,  then  give  a  warm  bran,  or  pollard 
marsh,  with  good  hay  and  warm  water  with  salt.  This 
treatment  alone  may  succeed  with  patience,  even 
should  the  maw  be  obstructed  by  acorns  or  crab- 
apples.  An  aloes  tincture  made  with  brandy  and 
ginger  or  capsicum  (red  pepper)  might  be  of  use  in 
this  case.  After  conquering  the  obstruction,  bitter  in- 
fusions made  of  camomile,  hardbound,  oak  bark,  &c., 
in  beer,  may  be  required,  as  restoratives,  although 
perhaps  good  dry  nourishing  feed  will  have  an  equally 
good  effect. 

It  is  remarked  by  Mr.  White  that  "  the  earlier  stages 
of  this  complaint  are  not  marked  by  very  striking 
symptoms.  The  animal  has  a  dull,  or  languid  appear- 
ance ;  and  generally,  a  rough  unhealthy  coat  and  tight 
skin.  The  appetite  is  diminished,  and  at  length  he 
ceases  to  chew  the  cud.  The  eyes  and  mouth  have 
generally  a  yellow  appearance. 

"  To  cure  this  disease,  it  should  be  attacked  at  an 
early  period ;  for  when  the  liver  has  become  affected 
in  a  considerable  degree,  it  terminates  fatally.  Should 
there  be  any  appearance  of  costiveness,  the  following 
warm  laxative  is  first  to  be  given ;  more  commonly, 
however,  the  bowels  are  in  a  loose  state,  and  the  dung 


176  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN    FAHRIER 

has  an  unhealthy  appearance ;  in  this  case,  let  the 
tonic  drench  be  given  morning  and  evening,  and  let 
the  animal  be  kept  in  a  warm  sheltered  situation.  It 
may  be  necessary  to  repeat,  that  this,  like  most  other 
internal  diseases  of  cattle,  may  generally  be  removed 
by  timely  attention ;  but  in  attempting  a  cure  after 
they  have  existed  some  time,  a  great  deal  of  unneces- 
sary expense  is  often  incurred. 

WAUM  LAXATIVE. 

Barbadoes  aloes,  ^  ounce ; 

Castile  soap,  6  drams ; 

Ginger,  3  drams ; 

Cascarilla  bark,  2  drams ; 

Warm  water,  1  pint. 
MLr. 

After  the  operation  of  the  laxative,  the  tonic  drench 
may  be  given,  should  it  be  found  necessary. 

TONIC  DRENCH. 

Cascarilla  bark  and  ginger  of  each,        2  drams; 
Soda,  2  drams; 

To  be  given  in  a  pint  of  ale,  beer,  or  warm  water. 


JAUNDICE  OR  YELLOWS. 

This  disease  may  be  known,  principally,  by  yel- 
lowness of  the  eyes  and  mouth ;  a  dull  or  languid  ap- 
pearance ;  and  debility  ;  a  loss  of  appetite  too  is  a 
common  symptom.  Jt  may  be  distinguished  from  the 
former  disease  by  the  costiveness,  which  uniformly 
attends  it,  and  by  the  animal  appearing  to  be  in  more 
pain.     At  the  commencement  of  the  disorder  a  cure 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  177 

may  generally  be  accomplished,  by  giving  the  warm 
laxative,  directed  for  the  foregoing  complaint,  and  re- 
peating it  after  an  interval  of  five  or  six  days,  giving, 
in  the  intermediate  time,  the  following  drink,  every 
morning  and  evening. 

Castile  soap,  J  ounce ; 

Venice  turpentine,  J  ounce; 

Ginger,  3  drams; 

Powdered  gentian  root,  1  ounce. 

Rub  the  soap  and  turpentine  together,  in  a  mortar,  until  they 
are  incorporated ;  then  add,  gradually,  a  pint  of  water,  and 
afterward  the  ginger  and  gentian. 

Jn  the  more  advanced  stage  of  this  disorder,  the  liver 
is  generally  so  injured  as  to  render  a  cure  impossible. 
— Whitens  Treatise. 

Mr.  Lawrence  observes  that  "  this  disease  in  cattle 
originates  in  hepatic,  or  liver  obstruction  from  cold ; 
however,  always  from  obstruction,  which  is  most  ef- 
fectually opened  by  mild  mercurial  purges,  notwith- 
standing the  beast  may  appear  weak  and  hide  bound. 
The  yellow  tinge  in  the  eyes  and  mouth,  and  upon  the 
urine,  sufficiently  indicate  the  disease.  Take  the  pa- 
tient to  the  house,  the  earlier  the  better,  and  if  he  re- 
main weak  after  two  or  three  days,  give  steel  beer, 
milk  warm,  a  pint  twice  a  day  for  a  week,  and  good 
keep.  One  gallon  good  beer,  three  or  four  ounces  iron 
filings,  infuse  in  a  stone  bottle  corked  up  three  or  four 
days  ;  shake  daily.  Hard  labour  during  great  heats 
was  said  by  the  old  writers  to  produce  the  Gall  or 
Overflow  of  the  Gall,  which  often  terminates  in  the 
yellows," 


178  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 


DIARRHCEA,   LOOSENESS,  SLIMY   FLUX,  OR 
SCOURING  ROT. 

This  disorder  consists  in  a  frequent  discharge  of 
dung,  of  an  unusual  colour,  thin  and  slimy.  The  ani- 
mal gradually  looses  flesh,  but  continues  for  some  time 
to  feed  well  and  ruminate.  At  length  the  excrements 
become  of  a  darker  color,  and  frothy,  and  in  the  latter 
stages  have  the  appearance  of  half-chewed  food,  the 
digestive  power  being  entirely  lost.  It  is  said  that 
when  animals  have  been  long  affected  with  this  dis- 
ease, they  feel  a  great  degree  of  pain  and  distress  when 
grasped  on  each  side  of  the  backbone,  just  below  the 
shoulders ;  and  this  is  sometimes  considered,  by  deal- 
ers in  cattle,  as  a  mark  of  a  beast's  being  tainted  with 
the  scouring  rot. 

The  fatal  symptoms  are  the  dew-lap  hanging  down 
and  having  a  flabby  appearance ;  the  dung  running 
off*,  with  a  putrid  and  offensive  smell,  and  as  it  falls 
to  the  ground,  rising  up  in  bubbles  ;  the  hair  all  over 
the  body  appearing  pin-feathered,  or  ereot,  as  if  the 
animal  was  enduring  a  severe  cold. 

The  causes  of  this  complaint  are  exposure  to  cold 
and  rain,  particularly  when  the  animal  has  been  over 
driven  or  heated  by  working  immediately  before  such 
exposure.  Drinking  plentifully  of  water,  under  simi- 
lar circumstances,  will  also  produce  this  disease. 
Want  of  nourishment,  particularly  in  cows  that  are 
constantly  milked,  often  causes  this  disease.  Perspi- 
ration suppressed  by  any  cause ;  putrescency  of  the 
aliments  may  also  bring  on  this  complaint.  It  often 
attacks  cattle  which  have  been  kept  short  during  the 
winter,  and  when  they  are  out  to  grass  in  the  spring, 


AND  catAe  doctor.  179 

they  are  seized  with  a  diarrhoea,  particularly  if  the 
weather  is  wet  or  cold,  and  grass  plentiful. 

Mr.  Lawrence  says,  "  if,  on  the  first  appearance  of 
the  scouring,  cattle  are  taken  in,  and  kept  on  dry  food, 
it  will  generally  supersede  the  use  of  medicine." 
"  This,"  says  Mr.  White,  is  certainly  necessary  ;  but 
is  not,  I  believe,  sufficient  to  eradicate  the  disease  ;  and 
though  it  may  suppress  it  for  a  time,  yet  the  scouring 
generally  returns,  when  the  animal  is  again  sent  into 
the  pasture.  The  immediate  cause  of  the  disorder 
appears  most  frequently  to  be  an  unhealthy  action  of 
the  liver,  which  seems  to  form  bile  of  an  acrid  or 
hurtful  quality,  by  which  the  bowels  are  constantly 
irritated.  I  would  advise,  therefore,  in  the  early  sta- 
ges of  the  complaint,  to  give  the  following  drink  for 
three  successive  mornings,  which  will  rather  increase 
the  scouring  at  first ;  and,  when  the  effect  of  the  medi- 
cine has  ceased,  let  the  astringent  drink  be  given  every 
morning  and  evening." 

FIRST  DRINK  FOR  SCOURING. 


Epsom  salts, 

Nitre, 
Camphor, 
Coriander  seed, 

1  pound; 

2  ounces ; 
J  ounce ; 
2  ounces'. 

Mix  for  one  dose. 

This  dose  should  be  repeated  for  three  mornings  fol- 
lowing, unless  it  cause  sickness  or  griping,  or  increase 
the  scouring  in  a  considerable  degree.  On  the  fourth 
morning,  begin  with  the  astringent  drink,  or  earlier, 
should  the  above  medicine  produce  its  effect  before  the 
three  doses  have  been  taken.  During  the  time  the 
cow  is  taking  the  former  medicine,  she  should  be  sup- 


180 


EVERY    MAN    HIS.  OWN    FAERIER 


plied  with  warm  fluids,  of  which  thin  gruel  is  the  best, 
and  must  not  be  exposed  to  a  cold  air. 

ASTRINGENT  DRINK. 


Take  of  starch, 

Mix  in  the  usual  way,  that  is,  as  it  is  em- 
ployed for  stiffening  clothes,  with  three 
pints  or  two  quarts  of  water,  so  as  to 
make  a  thick  mucilaginous  fluid ;  to 
this  add. 

Tincture  of  opium. 

Ginger, 

Catechu,  or  terra  topponica. 
Mix. 


2  drams ; 

3  drams ; 
J  ounce. 


Or  the  first  drink  for  scouring  may  be 


Common  salt, 

Flour  of  mustard, 

Water, 

Oil,  or  melted  lard, 


8  ounces ; 

2  ounces ; 

1^  ounces; 

i  pound. 


Mix. 


This  will  increase  the  discharge  for  a  short  time ; 
afterwards,  the  dung  will  gradually  become  of  a  more 
natural  consistence.  But  should  the  scouring  con- 
tinue, give  the  astringent  drink  already  prescribed,  or 
the  followinsf : 


Powdered  catechu. 
Tincture  of  opium. 
Powdered  ginger. 
Warm  ale,  beer  or  water. 


6  drams ; 
§  ounce ; 
2  or  3  drams  ; 
l^  pint. 


Mix. 


The  powder  or  tincture  of  galls,  would  also  be  found 
a  powerful  astringent. 


AND   CATTLE   DOCTOR.  181 

With  respect  to  the  scouring,  or  diarrhoea  in  calves, 
which  is  not  an  unfrequent  complaint,  a  different  treat- 
ment  is  to  be  pursued.  They  may  generally  be  cured 
by  the  following  drink,  given  morning  and  evening : 

Take  of  the  above  starch  mixture,  1  pint ; 
Powdered  chalk,  or  what  is  called  prepared 

chalk,  3  drams  ; 

Powdered  ginger,  1  dram ; 

Tincture  of  opium,  1  dram. 
Mix. 

Lambs  are  subject  to  a  similar  disease,  and  may  be 
cured  by  the  same  means,  only  lessening  the  dose. 

In  the  diarrhoea,  which  arises  from  exhausting  s^ 
cow  by  constant  milking,  when  she  is  not  sufficiently 
fed,  or  is  supplied  with  food  of  a  bad  quality,  the 
remedy  is  sufficiently  obvious.  But,  in  this  case,  it 
too  often  happens,  that  the  constitution  is  worn  out, 
before  it  is  thought  necessary  to  alter  the  poor  ani- 
mal's condition.  Whenever  this  change  is  made  it 
must  not  be  done  too  hastily,  as  other  diseases  might 
thereby  be  produced. 

When  the  scouring  has  ceased,  the  cow  should  be 
brought  back  to  her  usual  state  gradually.  At  first 
she  should  be  turned  out  for  a  few  hours  in  some  dry 
pasture,  when  the  weather  is  favourable  ;  and  her  drink 
should  be  given  less  warm.  This  precaution  is  highly 
necessary,  as  the  affected  parts  do  not  immediately  re- 
cover their  strength  after  the  scouring  has  ceased. 

The  Complete  Grazier  directs  that  the  beast  taken 
with  this  disease  should  be  immediately  housed  and  put 
to  dry  food,  which  treatment,  in  the  earlier  stages  of 
the  disorder,  will,  generally,  effect  a  cure.  Should 
this,  however,  fail,  it  is  advised,  in  that  work,  to  boil 
a  pound  of  mutton  suet  in  three  quarts  of  milk,  till  the 
16 


182  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

former  is  dissolved,  and  give  it  to  the  beast  in  a  luke- 
warm state  ;  or,  in  obstinate  cases,  to  boil  half  a  pound 
of  powdered  chalk  in  two  quarts  of  water,  till  it  is  re- 
duced to  three  pints  ;  add  four  ounces  of  hartshorn 
shavings  and  of  cassia,  and  stir  the  whole  together. 
When  cold  add  a  pint  of  hme  water  and  two  drachms 
of  the  tincture  of  opium  ;  keep  the  whole  in  a  corked 
bottle,  and,  after  shaking  it  before  using,  give  one  or 
two  hornsful,  two  or  three  times  a  day,  as  the  nature 
of  the  case  may  require. 

RED  WATER  OR  BLOODY  URINE. 

In  this  disorder  the  urine  appears  as  if  it  were 
mixed  with  blood.  As  the  disease  advances,  the  urine 
becomes  of  a  darker  color,  and  at  length  resembles 
foul  coffee ;  the  animal  loses  strength  rapidly,  and 
sinks  under  the  disorder.  Cattle  attacked  by  this  dis- 
ease seldom  live  beyond  the  tenth  or  twelfth  day,  un- 
less it  is  put  a  stop  to  by  proper  remedies.  It  is  gen- 
erally attended  with  costiveness ;  and  if  this  is  not  the 
case  at  first,  it  almost  always  happens  in  the  course 
of  the  disorder,  unless  prevented  by  laxative  medicine. 
It  is  caused  by  weak  relaxed  vessels  ;  thin  blood ; 
cold ;  change  from  a  poor  to  a  rich  pasture ;  scarcity 
of  water  in  a  long  and  dry  summer ;  blows  across  the 
loins ;  some  animals  appear  to  have  the  disease  heredi- 
tary. 

Dr.  White  recommends,  in  the  first  place  the  follow- 
ing mild  laxative : 

Epsom  salts  (sulphate  of  magnesia)  or 

common  salt,  4  to  6  ounces ; 

Nitre,  1  ounce; 

Whey  or  thin  gruel,  1  pint ; 

Oil,  or  melted  lard  (but  castor  oil  is 
preferable)  6  to  8  ounces ; 

Mix. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  183 

After  the  laxative,  should  the  disease  continue,  the 
following  drink  may  be  given  : 

Alum,  1  ounce; 

Dissolve  it  in  a  pint  of  hot  water,  and  add — 

Oil  of  turpentine,  bounces; 

Powdered  catechu,  or  terra  japonica,  1*  ounce; 

Mix. 

When  red  or  bloody  water  is  caused  by  strains  or  a 
bruise  in  the  loins,  it  is  distinguishable  by  the  tender- 
ness of  the  part,  the  animal  giving  way  when  it  is 
pressed  upon,  and  by  stiffness  in  the  motion  of  the 
hind  parts.  In  this  case,  also,  a  laxative  may  be 
given ;  and,  if  the  injury  is  considerable,  the  loins 
should  be  fomented  with  hot  vinegar,  and  afterwards 
covered  with  a  fresh  sheep's  skin. 

Whenever  the  animal  is  observed  to  be  frequently 
endeavoring  to  stale,  voiding  only  a  small  quantity 
with  much  pain  and  difficulty,  turpentine  and  all  other 
diuretics,  are  improper ;  and  decoction  of  marsh  mal- 
lows are  most  likely  to  afford  relief. 

The  Farmer's  Assistant  asserts  that  this  disorder  has 
been  very  rarely  known  in  this  country. 

FOUL  IN  THE  FOOT,  OR  HOOF  AIL. 

Dr.  Peck,  an  English  writer,  has  given  the  follow- 
mg  account  of  this  disorder  and  its  treatment. 

"  Symptoms. — A  hard  crack  first  appears  between 
the  claws,  or  hoofs,  attended  with  considerable  inflam- 
mation ;  afterwards  a  foetid  and  offensive  matter  ia 
discharged,  similar  to  that  of  the  grease  in  a  horse's 
heels ;  sometimes  it  appears  in  the  form  of  a  large 


184  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWPf    FARRIER 

tumor  upon  the  cornet,  between  the  hair  and  the  hoof^ 
attended  with  violent  pain  and  inflammation. 

"  Treatment. — Wash  the  part  from  all  dirt,  and  if 
between  the  claws  take  a  rope  of  a  proper  thickness, 
and  chafe  the  part  afflicted,*  and  afterwards  dress  the 
parts  with  the  muriate  of  antimony  (butter  of  anti- 
mony) or  sulphuric  acid  (oil  of  vitriol.)  Let  the  ani- 
mal stand  in  a  dry  place  for  an  hour,  repeat  the 
application  every  day.  If  the  part  be  much  affected, 
rub  it  with  some  stimulating  ointment,  and  if  the  tu- 
mour be  likely  to  suppurate,  linseed  poultices  as  oft  as 
is  necessary  should  be  applied,  and  repeated  till  the 
inflammation  has  subsided  ;  then  dress  the  wound  with 
lint  and  mild  astringent  ointment.  Due  regard  must 
be  paid  to  existing  symptoms.  A  few  doses  of  sodse 
sulphas  (glauber's  salt)  will  cool  the  body  and  accele- 
rate the  cure. 

Edward  Skellett,  Professor  of  the  Veterinary  art, 
an  English  writer  of  reputation,  says  that  this  disorder 
"  proceeds  from  two  causes ;  the  one  from  accident, 
and  the  other  from  a  morbid  state  of  the  system.  Its 
situation  is  betwixt  the  claws  of  the  cow,  either  in  the 
fore  or  hind  feet,  but  more  frequently  in  the  former. 
It  is  always  attended  with  a  swelling,  the  discharge 
from  which,  when  it  breaks  or  cracks,  has  a  very  of- 
fensive smell. 

The  accidental  foul  proceeds  from  gravel,  flints, 
bones,  or  any  other  hard  substances  getting  between 
the  claws,  produces  great  pain  and  inflammation.  The 
first  step  to  be  taken  for  its  cure  is  to  remove  the  hard 
substance,  and  clean  the  wound  out ;  then  the  follow- 

*  This  practice  is  condemned  by  other  writers  as  cruel  and 
unnecessary  .| 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  185 

ing  ointment  is  to  be  applied  to  the  part,  spread  on  tow, 
and  bound  on  with  cloth  and  string. 

Soft  soap,  1  pound  ; 

Common  turpentine,  1  pound. 

♦*MeIt  over  a  slow  fire  till  the  two  articles  are  completely  uni- 
ted. The  dressings  may  be  repeated  two  or  three  times,  which 
never  fails  to  complete  a  cure. 

*'  The  joint  foul  begins  with  great  pain,  attended 
with  inflammation  and  swelling  betwixt  the  claws,  and 
even  up  to  the  fetlock  joint.  The  claws  are  extended 
outwards  from  the  swelling  betwixt  them,  and  the  ani- 
mal is  very  feverish.  The  attack  of  the  disease  is 
very  sudden. 

"  In  this  case  bleeding  will  be  proper ;  after  which 
give  a  dose  of  epsom  salts ;  then  apply  a  plaister  of 
soap  betwixt  the  claws.  It  must  be  repeated  every 
two  or  three  day^  till  a  large  core  comes  out,  which 
is  always  the  case  in  this  disease  before  a  cure  can 
be  completed.  The  wound  may  then  be  dressed  with 
the  following  digestive  ointment,  in  order  to  heal  it. 

Take  of  tar,  1  pound  ; 

Common  turpentine,  1  pound. 

**  To  be  put  into  a  pipkin  over  a  slow  fire  till  it  is  completely 
dissolved,  then  take  it  firom  the  fire  and  add  to  it  four  ounces 
of  turpentine  which  should  be  stirred  well  together  till  it  is 
incorporated." 

This  disorder,  or  something  very  similar,  has  been 
prevalent  in  the  United  States,  and  particularly  in  the 
State  of  Maine.  A  communication  on  the  subject  is 
published  in  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Reposi- 
tory, Vol.  4,  No.  4,  page  348.  In  this  it  is  said  that 
the  immediate  occasion  of  the  Hoof  Ail,  "is  a  stoppage 
16* 


4 
186  EVERY   MAN    HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

of  the  issue  between  the  claws  or  hoofs,  which  exist 
in  all  ruminating  animals,  and  which  are  very  much 
like  the  issues  so  generally  known  in  the  back  part 
of  the  fore  legs  of  pigs  ;  the  stoppage  of  which  pro- 
duces disease,  and  eventually  death,  unless  remedied. 

The  hoof  ail  indiscriminately  attacks  thin  and  fat 
cattle,  and  very  considerable  impressions  are  enter- 
tained that  it  is  contagious  ;  therefore  till  the  contrary 
is  proved,  it  is  safer  so  to  consider  it. 

From  a  very  careful  comparison  of  eases  (from 
memory  only)  it  appears  to  affect  cattle  who  are  in  a 
feverish  state,  from  various  exciting  causes ;  as  over 
work ;  sudden  changes  from  hard  work  to  rest,  and 
higher  feeding,  (a  practice  very  common  with  farmers 
after  working  their  cattle  hard  all  winter,  as  a  prepa- 
ration for  their  spring's  work ;)  being  out  in  a  storm  ; 
or  being  driven  much,  and  kept  long  in  the  mud.  In 
cows  and  young  cattle,  it  seems  to  take  either  those 
that  are  brought  from  worse  keeping  to  better ;  or  the 
finest  and  best  cattle  in  the  yard.  But  all  these  obser- 
vations may  be  erroneous ;  for  the  disease  often  ap- 
pears suddenly,  without  any  apparent  cause  ;  affecting 
individuals  of  the  same  stock  tied  in  different  parts  of 
the  barn,  and  in  entirely  different  cases  as  to  condi- 
tion, exposure,  &c.  &c.  It  however,  very  frequently 
goes  through  a  whole  stock,  though  it  does  not  appear 
to  follow  in  regular  succession,  according  to  proximity 
in  the  stable  or  in  the  yoke.  This  may  arise,  either 
from  contagion  or  the  same  exciting  causes,  operating 
on  the  whole.  In  short,  it  is  a  disease  very  terrible 
in  its  effects  at  times,  and  which  does  not  appear  to  be 
understood.  As  very  few  cases  of  perfect  recovery 
take  place  in  a  violent  attack,  and,  as  in  all  cases 
the  recovery  is  very  tedious,  we  should  rather  pre- 
vent than  cure;   for  which  end  we  must  carefully 


AND    CATTLE   DOCTOR.  187 

watch  for  the  symptoms,  and  without  delay  apply  the 
remedy. 

Symptoms. — When  an  animal  is  at  all  lame,  its 
foot  should  be  carefully  felt.  The  first  indication  is 
usually  an  uncommon  degree  of  warmth,  and  soft  and 
puffed  feel  of  the  parts  immediately  connected  with 
the  slit  between  the  hoof,  either  before  or  behind  the 
foot,  and  generally  above  it.  If  in  the  hind  foot,  and 
not  easily  handled,  a  fulness  may  generally  be  per- 
ceived, by  standing  behind  the  animal  and  carefully 
comparing  the  appearance  of  the  two  feet,  between  the 
dew  claws  and  the  hoofs,  (for  it  very  rarely  com- 
mences its  attack  on  more  than  one  foot.)  In  the  fore 
foot  it  generally  swells  forward ;  and  on  taking  up  the 
foot,  the  slit  between  the  hoofs  will  have  the  appear- 
ance  of  dryness,  easily  distinguishable  to  a  person 
used  to  cattle ;  and  the  animal  frequently  licks  the 
front  part  of  the  foot.  Instances  frequently  occur  of 
sudden  and  extreme  lameness,  without  any  appear- 
ance of  heat  or  swelling  in  the  foot ;  but  these  are 
often  the  worst  cases ;  but  one  symptom  rarely  fails 
to  accompany  the  disease,  which  is,  extreme  restless- 
ness, and  appearance  of  anguish,  attended  with  loss 
of  appetite  and  flesh  ;  but  without,  in  the  least,  affect- 
ing the  brightness  of  the  eye,  and,  perhaps  sometimes 
unnaturally  increasing  it ;  but  the  eye  has  a  peculiar 
cast.  As  a  general  rule,  it  is  safest  to  attribute  all 
lameness  of  the  foot,  which  cannot  be  traced  to  a  suffi- 
cient cause,  to  the  hoof  ail.  Lameness  of  the  foot  can 
generally  be  distinguished  from  that  of  the  leg.,  hip,  or 
shoulder,  by  making  the  animal  step  over  a  stick  or 
rail,  and  carefully  watching  its  motions. 

Remedies. — The  foot  should  be  carefully  washed 


188  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

and  cleansed,  and  thoroughly  examined,  to  be  sure 
that  the  lameness  does  not  arise  from  a  nail  casually 
run  through  the  foot,  or  a  pinch  in  shoeing,  or  from  a 
wound  from  a  stump  or  other  substance  between  the 
hoofs,  (a  case  frequently  occurring.)  If  no  appear- 
ance occurs  of  any  break  in  the  skin,  while  the  foot  is 
still  wet,  apply,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  to  the  centre  of 
the  slit,  between  the  hoofs,  from  one  to  three  grains  of 
corrosive  sublimate  (reduced  to  a  fine  powder)  the 
dose  to  be  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the  animal,  and 
the  violence  of  the  attack.  Care  must  be  used  that 
the  powder  is  put  completely  into  this  slit,  for  it  is  a 
very  strong  poison,  and  the  animal  as  soon  as  at 
liberty,  will  begin  to  lick  the  foot,  if  a  sore  one.* 
The  moisture  left  by  the  washing,  makes  the  powder 
adhere ;  and  the  effect  is  produced  in  a  very  short 
time.  Some  prefer  mixing  the  powder  with  hog's  lard, 
which  answers ;  but  is  thought  less  powerful :  it  has 
one  advantage,  however,  as  being  less  dangerous  to 
keep  in  a  house  (for  no  one  takes  salve  inwardly.) 
Where  corrosive  sublimate  cannot  be  obtained,  any 
other  violent  stimulant  may  be  applied.  Common 
salt  is  often  effectual  in  very  slight  attacks,  but  it  is 
of  the  greatest  importance  to  lose  no  time.  The  appli- 
cation is  to  be  repeated  once  every  twenty-four  hours, 
till  a  cure  is  effected,  or  till  the  foot  shows  unequivocal 
signs  of  a  gathering  which  will  break.  It  is  supposed 
that  the  corrosive  sublimate,  by  stimulating  the  parts, 
removes  the  obstruction,  and  enables  nature  to  resume 
the  natural  discharge  from  the  issue,  of  a  matter,  which 
(as  soon  as  pent  up  in  the  foot)  causes  inflammation 
and  suppuration,  and  at  last,  forms  an  abscess,  at  all 

*  Might  not  a  rag  or  bit  ofleather  be  so  fiistened  with  a  string 
as  to  prevent  any  danger  of  this  sort  ? 


AWD    CATTLE   DOCTOR.  189 

times  very  difficult  to  heal,  and  which,  when  large, 
takes  off  one  or  both  hoofs^  which  are  never  properly 
replaced.  It  must,  therefore,  be  considered  as  an  ob- 
ject of  the  first  importance  to  restore  the  secretion  and 
discharge,  without  allowing  a  suppuration.  This  done, 
the  cure  is  effected ;  and,  since  the  course  has  been 
followed,  no  bad  case  has  occurred  in  a  very  consider- 
able stock  of  cattle,  and  the  men  attending  them  are 
quite  familiar  with  the  cure.  If,  from  want  of  atten- 
tion, or  the  violence  of  the  attack,  the  gathering  is 
formed,  and  breaks,  it  must  be  treated  like  any  other 
tedious  ulcer,  and  without  any  violent  or  harsh  mea- 
sures. 

The  animal  should  be  kept  quiet,  fed  well,  and  occa- 
sionally purged.  As  soon  as  the  discharge  has  ceased, 
a  salve  of  the  flower  of  zinc,  and  hog's  lard  appears 
to  be  the  best  dressing. 

It  cannot  be  too  strongly  impressed  on  the  minds  of 
those  who  have  the  care  of  cattle  that  not  a  moment 
is  to  be  lost;  and  that  the  corrosive  sublimate  pro- 
duces no  other  inconvenience  than  pain  for  a  ^ew  mi- 
nutes, even  if  it  should  be  applied  in  a  case  of  lame- 
ness, which  afterwards  proves  to  have  arisen  from 
other  causes. 

An  account  appeared  last  season,  of  the  cure  being 
effected  by  cutting  off  the  point  of  the  hoof  with  a 
chisel,  till  it  bled  considerably.  Of  the  efficacy  of 
this  remedy,  no  opinion  is  given,  as  it  has  never  been 
tried  here  ;  but  the  impression  is  not  favourable,  as  it 
must  occasion  temporary  lameness,  and,  in  unskilful 
hands,  proves  something  more  than  temporary. 

All  such  barbarous  modes  of  treatment  as  hair  ropes 
drawn  backwards  and  forwards  between  the  hoofs ; 
hot  irons ;  cutting  out  the  part  affected,  and  pouring 
into  the  wound,  so  made,  hot  pitch  and  other  ingredi- 


190  EVERY    MAN   HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

ents  ,*  scraping  out  the  wound,  and  applying  spirits  of 
turpentine;  in  short  all  remedies  of  torture,  should 
be  at  once  discarded,  and  a  sinrjple  mode  of  ascertain- 
ing the  cause,  and  then  removing  the  evil  in  the  most 
expeditious  and  humane  manner  be  substituted.  , 

No  inconvenience  is  known  to  occur  from  keeping 
an  ox  at  work,  if  the  lameness  is  not  so  great  as  to 
impair  his  condition ;  and  it  generally  yields  to  three 
or  four  applications  in  the  foot  where  it  began ;  but 
frequently  it  must  be  followed  round  all  the  feet  in 
succession. 

We  have  been  the  more  particular  in  our  description 
of  this  disorder,  and  the  remedies  recommended  on 
account  of  its  alleged  frequency  in  the  United  States. 
If  the  simple  and  cheap  remedies  recommended  by 
Dr.  Skellett,  viz.,  soft  soap,  common  turpentine,  tar, 
and  spirits  of  turpentine  will  answer  the  purpose, 
attributed  to  them  by  that  writer,  the  discovery  will  be 
highly  valuable. 

ON  THE  MANAGEMENT  OF  COWS,  WHEN 
THEY  ARE  NEAR  THE  TIME  OF  CALV- 
ING. 

The  diseases,  which  most  commonly  occur  at  this 
time,  are  strangury,  or  difficulty  in  voiding  urine,  and 
costiveness ;  and  these  it  may  be  highly  necessary  to 
attend  to,  as  they  may,  if  neglected,  be  the  cause  of 
the  cow  slipping  her  calf.  When  strangury  is  accom- 
panied with  costiveness,  which  is  generally  the  ^2ase, 
and  is  often  the  cause  of  the  complaints,  the  bowels 
must  be  opened  by  a  laxative  composed  of  a  pound 
of  epsom  salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  gruel,  a  clyster 
should  also  be  given,  consisting  of  two  quarts  of  warm 
water,  and  four  ounces  of  linseed  oil.     This  may  be 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  191 

repeated  two  or  three  times  in  the  course  of  two  hours, 
if  found  necessary.  Should  the  strangury  continue 
after  the  bowels  are  emptied,  give  the  following  drink. 

Take  of  camphor,  2  drams ; 

to  be  powdered  and  mixed  with  spirits  of 

nitrous  ether. 
Tincture  of  opium,  J  ounce  ; 

Gruel  in  which  one  ounce  of  nitre  has  been 

dissolved,  •  1  pint. 

Mix. 

Many  cows  have  been  lost  by  allowing  them  to  be 
too  fat  at  the  time  of  calving;  they  are  then  said  to 
die  of  the  milk  fever.  It  is  advisable,  therefore,  when 
a  cow,  far  gone  with  calf,  is  in  too  good  condition,  to 
reduce  her  by  changing  the  pasture,  which  is  prefer- 
able to  bleeding  or  physic  ;  but  if  she  has  approached 
too  near  her  time  to  admit  of  this  change  having  any 
effect,  then  bleeding  will  be  proper.  When  a  cow,  in 
high  condition,  appears  to  be  ill  and  feverish  soon  after 
calving,  let  her  be  bled  to  the  extent  of  three  quarts, 
and  take  a  pint  of  castor  oil.  Should  the  fever  con- 
tinue,  and  particularly  if  it  appears  to  increase,  the 
animal  expressing  great  uneasiness,  with  a  wildness  in 
her  appearance,  great  redness  of  the  upper  eyelid,  and 
quick  motion  of  the  flanks,  the  bleeding  must  be  re- 
peated. Many  cows  have  been  destroyed  by  the  stimu- 
lating medicines  that  are  commonly  recommended  and 
given. — Whitens  Treatise. 

Dr.  Skellett  recommends  a  similar  treatment  of  the 
strangury  in  cows,  and  adds  "  The  cow  should  have 
plenty  of  diluting  liquors,  such  as  warm  water,  gruel, 
&c.,  and  mashes  made  of  bran,  or  pollard,  with  a  little 
malt.  In  two  or  three  hours  after  she  has  had  the 
drink  and  clyster,  it  will  be  necessary  to  drive  her 


192  EVERT    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIEB 

gently  about  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  as  it  greatly 
assists  the  operation  of  the  medicines. 

To  prevent  this  disease,  the  animal  ought  to  have 
air  and  exercise  daily,  and  such  food  given  her  as  is 
of  a  laxative  nature,  which  will  be  of  the  greatest 
utility  in  her  latter  months  of  gestation." 

INFLAMMATION   AND    SWELLING   OF 
THE)  UDDER. 

This  disease  attacks  cows  about  the  time  of  calving, 
and  is  sometimes  so  considerable  as  to  cause  an  ab- 
scess to  form.  As  soon  as  it  is  observed,  let  the  ani- 
mal be  bled  freely,  and  take  a  pound  of  epsom  salts 
dissolved  in  a  quart  of  gruel,  to  which  a  little  castor 
or  linseed  oil  may  be  added.  The  swollen  udder 
should  frequently  be  fomented  with  a  decoction  of 
mallows  or  elder.  The  best  method  of  doing  this,  is 
to  dip  large  woollen  cloths  in  the  hot  decoction,  and, 
after  wringing  them,  let  them  be  applied  so  as  to  cover 
the  whole  udder :  this  process  should  be  continued  for 
some  time,  and  repeated  several  times  a  day.  When, 
by  these  means,  the  inflammation  has  been  removed, 
Bome  degree  of  hard,  but  not  painful  swelling  may  re- 
main ;  to  disperse  this,  the  following  Hniment  may  be 
rubbed  on  the  part  once  or  twice  a  day  ; 

LINIMENT. 

Take  of  linseed  oil,  4J  ounces ; 

Spirits  of  turpentine,  1  ounce; 

Liquor  of  ammonia,  i  ounce. 
Mix. 

Inflammation  of  the  udder  sometimes  occurs  in  con- 
sequence of  catching  cold,  or  a  chiU,  as  it  is  more 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  193 

commonly  termed  ;  in  this  case,  the  appetite  is  dimin- 
ished, the  cow  stares,  the  breathing  is  quickened,  and 
there  is  some  degree  of  fever.  Here  bleeding  is 
generally  necessary  at  first,  and  the  following  warm 
laxative : 

Common  salt,  6  to  8  ounces ; 
Oil  of  lard,  Bounces; 

Flour  of  mustard,  1  ounce ; 

Whey  or  water,  1  pint 

Mix. 

The  animal  should  be  taken  under  cover,  and  fed 
with  warm  mashes  of  bran  or  malt.  One  ounce  of 
nitre  may  be  put  into  her  water,  morning  and  evening. 

This  inflammation  is  generally  confined  to  one  or 
two  quarters  of  the  udder,  but  sometimes  spreads  over 
the  whole.  The  milk  drawn  from  the  infected  quarter 
is  of  a  yellowish  or  whey  colour,  and  contains  small 
flakes  or  curds.  When  the  inflammation  is  not  sea- 
sonably checked,  it  often  proceeds  to  suppuration.  If 
the  matter  be  suflered  to  accumulate,  a  large  abscess 
will  form,  and  the  gland,  or  quarter  will  be  so  disor- 
ganized as  to  be  incapable  ever  after  of  forming  milk. 
It  is 'probable,  however,  that,  when  this  happens,  the 
other  three  quarters  will  have  their  capacity  for  form- 
ing milk  gradually  increased.  Whenever  matter  has 
been  formed  in  the  udder,  and  can  be  distinctly  felt,  it 
is  proper  to  open  it  in  the  lowest  part,  that  the  matter 
may  flow  ofl"  freely.  When  this  has  been  done,  the 
part  should  be  kept  clean,  and  no  matter  allowed  to 
lodge  in  the  cavity,  which  should  be  syringed  with 
warm  water.  To  get  rid  of  the  matter,  it  sometimes 
becomes  necessary  to  make  an  opening  in  the  teat,  a 
little  above  its  extremity,  or  the  orifice.  There  is  no 
occasion  for  cramming  tents  into  the  cavity,  or  daub- 
17 


194  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

mg  the  udder  with  filthy  ointments  ;  it  is  quite  sufficient 
to  bathe  and  syringe  with  warm  water  two  or  three 
times  a  day,  which  will  prevent  the  accumulation  of 
matter ;  and  if  the  healing  process  goes  on  languidly, 
a  mixture  of  spirit  and  water,  or  a  solution  of  white 
vitriol  may  be  injected. 

Cows  that  are  near  calving  should  be  attended  to 
with  reference  to  their  complaint ;  and  if  it  is  observed 
to  be  coming  on,  they  should  be  bled,  and  milked. 
They  should  be  kept  in  a  bare  pasture,  or  put  into  a 
cow  house  and  be  allowed  but  little  hay,  and  a  little 
of  the  liniment  above  mentioned,  or  some  other  emol- 
lient ointment  made  use  of  to  soften  the  udder. 

What  by  some  is  called  the  Snarled  Bag,  or  Swelled 
Udder,  requires  no  other  treatment  than  rubbing  the 
part  with  elder  ointment,  and  as  the  complaint  is  merely 
temporary,  from  the  extension  of  the  milk  vessels,  and 
is,  in  fact,  a  proof  of  a  good  milker,  it  will  soon  yield 
to  this  application. 

WOUNDS  OF  CATTLE. 

The  wounds  of  cattle  are  most  commonly  caused 
by  goring  each  other  with  their  horns,  or  by  breaking 
over  fences ;  and,  when  deep  or  extensive,  are  gener- 
ally followed  with  considerable  inflammation.  The 
treatment  of  these  wounds,  though  represented  by  far- 
riers as  an  intricate  and  mysterious  branch  of  the  art, 
is,  in  fact,  extremely  simple.  When  the  wound  is 
considerable,  and  some  important  parts  have  been  in- 
jured, the  irritating  treatment  commonly  adopted  by 
farriers,  often  destroys  the  animal  ;  and  in  slighter 
wounds,  their  stimulating  applications  rather  tend  to 
retard,  than  promote  recovery.  In  deep  and  extensive 
wounds,  atfecting  important  parts,  every  method  must 


ATCD    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  195 

be  employed,  as  early  as  possible,  to  prevent  a  fatal 
inflammation  from  taking  place.  Bleeding  is  the  first 
remedy ;  and  immediately  after,  let  a  purgative  or 
laxative  drink  be  given,  receipts  for  which  may  be 
found  under  the  head,  Gripes,  and  other  diseases. 
On  no  account  should  the  wound  be  probed,  or  have 
any  tents  crammed  into  it ;  nor  should  any  stimula- 
ting mixture  be  applied.  The  emollient  fomentation 
(a  decoction  of  mallows  and  elder)  directed  for  swollen 
udder,  is  the  only  application  that  can  be  used  with 
advantage,  until  the  inflammation  has  subsided  ;  the 
fomentation  should  be  continued  for  a  considerable 
term,  and  repeated  frequently. 

When  the  inflammation  occasioned  by  the  wound, 
has  been  removed  it  will  be  proper  to  examine  it  with 
a  probe,  to  ascertain  whether  any  matter  be  confined 
or  not ;  as  in  that  case,  it  may  be  necessary  to  enlarge 
the  original  wound,  to  give  it  vent,  or  make  an  open- 
ing in  another  more  depending  situation,  that  it  may 
run  ofl*  freely.  Some  stimulating  application  may  also 
be  proper  at  this  period,  such  as  a  solution  of  blue 
vitriol,  or 

Tincture  of  myrrh,  2  ounces  ; 

Corrosive  sublimate,  12  grains. 

One  part  of  oil  of  turpentine  to  two  parts  of  sweet  oil  form  a 
good  digestive,  as  it  is  termed.  And,  if  an  ointment  is  pre. 
ferred — 

Take  of  hog's  lard,  8  ounces ; 

Bees'  wax,  1  ounce ; 

Common  turpentine,  6  ounces. 

Melt  them  together ;  and,  when  taken  from  the  fire,  add  one 
ounce  of  powdered  verdigris ;  continue  stirring  the  mixture 
until  it  is  cold. 


196  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

With  respect  to  sewing  up  a  wound,  as  it  is  called, 
there  are  circumstances  which  sometimes  render  it 
highly  improper ;  in  deep  wounds,  for  example,  where 
the  external  opening  is  not  very  large,  or  in  wounds, 
where  the  divided  parts  have  receded  from  each  other, 
and  there  is  difficulty  in  bringing  them  together ;  in 
the  former  case,  the  matter  would  be  confined ;  in  the 
latter,  much  irritation  would  be  caused  by  the  stitches. 
In  both  cases,  the  inflammation  would  be  considerably 
increased  ;  but  in  superficial  wounds,  and  where  a  flap 
of  skin  is  separated,  it  will  be  proper  to  stich  it  up ;  but 
on  no  account,  should  there  be  any  stimulating  fluid 
introduced,  such  as  tincture  of  benzoin  (frier's  balsam) 
as  Dr.  Clater  advises.  It  would  be  sufficient,  should 
there  be  any  dirt,  or  other  matter,  about  the  wound, 
to  wash  it  ofl*  with  warm  water.  Wounds  of  the  belly, 
through  which  the  bowels  press  out,  are  highly  dan-* 
gerous,  and  require  the  most  delicate  management. 
The  first  thing  to  be  done,  when  this  accident  happens, 
is  to  put  back  the  bowel  into  the  belly  as  tenderly  as 
possible  ;  but  if  any  dirt,  hair,  or  other  matter  be  ob- 
served on  the  intestine,  it  must  be  carefully  washed 
off*  with  warm  water.  When  the  bowel  has  been  re- 
placed, the  wound  must  be  stitched  up,  by  means  of  a 
crooked  needle  and  threads  doubled,  or  small  twine, 
well  waxed  (with  bees  wax ;)  a  bandage  is  then  to  be 
applied.  The  animal  is  to  be  kept  at  rest,  on  a  spare, 
open  diet,  of  grass,  or  bran ;  and,  if  in  any  degree 
costive,  a  dose  of  castor  oil  may  be  given.  The  treat- 
ment of  the  wound  is  of  little  importance :  the  great 
object  is  to  keep  the  bowel  in  its  situation.  It  some- 
times happens,  that  a  great  deal  of  air  gets  into  the 
intestine,  after  it  has  escaped  from  the  belly,  and  sO 
distends  it  as  to  render  it  difficult  if  not  impracticable, 


AND   CATTLE   DOCTOR.  197 

to  replace  it  through  the  original  wound.  When,  after 
a  careful,  and  patient  trial,  this  is  found  to  be  the  case, 
the  wound  is  to  be  enlarged,  so  as  to  allow  the  bowel 
to  be  replaced.  This  must  be  done  cautiously,  the 
knife  being  guarded  by  the  forefinger. 

Bleeding  from  wounds  seldom  proves  dangjerous  in 
cattle,  and,  if  left  to  nature,  generally  stops  in  a 
short  time  ;  indeed  it  is  the  best  plan  not  to  meddle  on 
these  occasions  :  for,  though  the  bleeding  may  appear 
formidable  to  persons  not  accustomed  to  such  sights, 
it  is  really  not  dangerous ;  and  unless  some  large  ves- 
sel has  been  wounded,  which  bid  defiance  both  to 
styptics  and  to  pressure,  it  may  safely  be  left  to  nature. 
Should  it  be  thought  necessary,  however,  to  stop  the 
bleeding,  the  most  effectual  mode  of  doing  it,  next  to 
that  of  tying  the  blood-vessel,  is  pressure,  by  putting 
bolsters  of  tow  or  sponge  to  the  bleeding  part,  and 
supporting  it  firmly  with  bandage.  During  the  pro- 
gress of  the  wound  towards  healing,  the  new  flesh  often 
rises  above  the  surface,  or  appears  to  be  produced  too 
luxuriantly,  to  check  this,  a  little  powdered  blue 
vitriol,  mixed  with  bole,  may  be  sprinkled  on  the  part." 
— Whitens  Treatise, 


GRAIN  SICK. 

The  first  symptoms  of  this  disease  are  a  dull,  heavy 
appearance  of  the  eyes  of  the  animal ;  she  frequently 
shifts  about  from  one  side  to  the  other,  and  when  let 
loose,  or  driven  about,  complains  very  much.  On 
examining  her,  a  fulness  may  be  perceived  betwixt  the 
hip  and  ribs,  on  the  opposite  side  to  the  milking  one, 
if  pressed  with  the  hand ;  this  fulness  will  be  felt  to 
consist  in  the  extension  of  the  stomach.     As  the  dis- 


198  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

ease  advances  a  loss  of  milk  ensues,  and  a  .total  dis- 
like to  any  food. 

This  disease  is  caused  by  a  surfeit  of  grain,  and  its 
remedies  are  bleeding  and  purging ;  the  first  to  relieve 
the  urgent  symptoms,  the  second  to  remove  the  cause 
of  the  malady.  The  quantity  of  blood,  according  to 
Dr.  Skellet,  should  not  be  less  than  from  two  to  three 
quarts  ;  but  as  he  prescribes  for  large  cows,  in  the 
vicinity  of  London,  perhaps  a  smaller  quantity  would 
be  preferable  for  animals  of  but  middling  size.  The 
purging  drink  recommended  by  the  same  author  is  as 
follows. 

Sulphur  from  8  to  12  or  16  ounces,  propor- 
tioning it  to  the  strength  of  the  animal. 


Nitre, 

3  ounces ; 

Tumeric  or  Cummin  seeds,  of  each 

1  ounce. 

Mix. 

When  this  has  operated  in  unloading  the  stomach, 
the  weakness  of  that  organ,  the  loss  of  appetite  which 
ensues,  and  the  deficiency  of  milk  connected  with  it, 
will  be  repaired  by  medicines  of  an  aromatic  and  bra- 
cing nature,  such  as  coriander,  ginger,  aniseed,  &c. 
Diluent  liquors  and  mashes  form  the  proper  food  for 
some  days. 

STRAINS  AND  BRUISES. 

When  these  accidents  occur  in  a  considerable  de- 
gree, or  if  an  important  part  has  been  injured,  bleed- 
ing is  highly  proper.  As  inflammation  is  the  common 
effect  of  these  injuries,  fomentations  are  at  first  the 
most  proper  applications  ;  and,  when  the  inflammation 
has  subsided,  the  linament  recommended  for  swollen 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  199 

udder*  may  be  rubbed  on  the  part  two'or  three  times  a 
day.  When  any  part  of  the  limbs  has  been  strained,  so 
as  to  occasion  lameness,  and  it  continues  after  this  plan 
has  been  tried,  it  will  be  advisable  to  have  recourse  to 
a  blister,  which  will  be  found  more  eifectual  than  the 
most  celebrated  strain  oil. 

In  slight  bruises  from  the  pressure  of  the  yoke,  or 
other  causes,  the  following  lotion  is  useful : 

Gourlard's  extract,  i  ounce ; 

Vinegar,  4  ounces ; 

Water,  1  pint. 
Mix. 

WARTS,  OR  HORNY  EXCRESENCES. 

These  are  affections  of  the  skin  which  m  cows  do 
not  go  deep  ;  they  destroy  the  roots  of  the  hair,  where- 
ever  they  form,  and  are  of  a  firm  and  horny  texture, 
and  readily  give  way  when  pulled  or  roughly  handled, 
which  occasions  them  to  bleed,  and  shows  their  con- 
nection  with  the  vessels  of  the  skin.  They  readily 
yield  to  emollient  ointments,  particularly  to  goose 
grease,  which  should  be  frequently  rubbed  on  them  till 
the  excrescences  fall  off. 

SWELLINGS  ON  THE  JOINTS  AND  BONES. 

Swellings  on  the  joints  and  bones  are  generally  very 
painful  to  the  touch,  attended  with  inflammation  and 
fever.  If  the  swelling  comes  on  suddenly,  and  its  in- 
crease is  rapid,  it  generally  terminates  in  suppuration. 
If  situated  on  the  joint,  a  discharge  of  the  liquor  of 
the  joint,  or  joint  oil,  is  the  consequence,  which  is 

•  See  N.  E.  Farmer,  No.  30,  p.  233. 


200  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

dangerous  and  troublesome  to  cure.  On  the  contrary 
if  the  swelling  comes  gradually,  with  little  pain,  and  a 
hard  callous  substance  is  felt,  and  if  early  attempts  are 
not  made  to  stop  its  progress,  it  will  end  in  a  stiff  joint, 
and  all  attempts  to  cure  it  will  be  in  vain. 

This  disease  generally  proceeds  from  kicks  or  blows 
with  stools,  &c.,  or  violent  strains. 

When  the  swelling  comes  on  rapidly,  with  much  pain 
and  inflamrftation,  bleeding  and  purging  should  be  im- 
mediately recurred  to.     The  purge  should  be. 

Epsom  salts,  •    1  pound  ; 

Nitre,  2  ounces ; 

Ginger,  2  ounces ; 

Fomentations  should  be  applied  twice  or  three  times 
a  day.    The  following  is  recommended  by  Dr.  Skellet : 

Take  of  wormwood  and  southernwood,  of  each, 

two  handfuls, 
Poppy  heads,  four  or  five  handfuls, 
Elder  flowers,  a  handful, 

Cammomile  flowers,  4  ounces ; 

Bay  and  juniper  berries,  of  each,  1  ounce  ; 

Crude  sal  ammoniac,  and  potash,  each  2  ounces. 

Boil  these  materials  in  four  quarts  of  spring  water 
till  reduced  to  three.  Then  foment  the  swelling  with 
flannels,  as  hot  as  possible,  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
or  more ;  after  which,  the  flannels  are  to  be  bound 
over  the  part  till  the  time  of  fomenting  again.  Thig» 
operation  may  be  repeated  for  two  or  three  days,  at 
which  period  the  inflammation  will  probably  be  on  the 
decline,  when  the  following  method  must  be  adopted. 

Take  of  Spanish  flies  in  fine  powder,  2  drams ; 

Spirits  of  ammonia,  4  ounces. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  201 

Mix  together,  and  rub  a  little  of  the  mixture  into 
the  part  affected ;  after  which  a  flannel  roller  is  to  be 
slightly  put  on,  and  kept  on  till  a  profuse  discharge  or 
blistering  takes  place,  which  will  form  into  a  crust, 
which  should  not  be  rubbed  off. 

If  suppuration  has  already  began,  or  the  disease  so 
far  advanced  that  it  cannot  be  avoided,  it  should  be 
brought  to  a  head  as  soon  as  possible ;  after  which  the 
following  balsam  may  be  applied  once  or  twice  a  day. 

Take  of  compound  tincture  of  myrrh,  2  ounces ; 

Blue  vitriol  water,  ^  ounce. 

The  vitriol  water  may  be  made  by  dissolving  ten 
drachms  of  blue  vitriol  in  powder,  in  a  pint  of  hot 
water ;  the  balsam  to  be  well  skaken  together  previous 
to  using  it.  Should  there  be  any  discharge  of  the  joint 
oil  it  may  be  necessary  to  proceed  as  hereafter  will  be 
directed,  under  the  head.  Loss  of  joint  oil.  When  the 
scurf  falls  off,  which  the  blistering  has  produced,  and 
there  remains  any  lameness,  the  following  plaster 
should  be  applied. 

Take  of  black  and  burgundy  pitch,  1  pound ; 

Oxycroceum  and  Paracelsus,  4  ounces  ; 

Bole  armenian  and  dargon's  blood,  4  ounces  ; 

Mix. 

When  this  swelling  comes  on  gradually  with  little 
pain,  and  is  of  a  hard,  callous,  or  bony  nature,  fomen- 
tations will  be  of  no  use.  But  the  hair  should  be 
first  cut  off  the  part  affected,  and  some  of  the  under 
mentioned  blister  rubbed  well  into  the  swelling  with  a 
knife  or  spatula ;  and  it  may  be  repeated  for  two  or 
three  successive  mornings,  or  till  a  plentiful  discharge 
is  produced. 


202  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

Take  of  quicksilver,  1  ounce  ; 

Goose  grease,  2  or  3  drams. 

To  be  rubbed  together  in  a  mortar  till  the  quick- 
silver is  completely  killed;  then  add  the  following  in 
fine  powder. 


Take  of  Cantharides, 

2  drams ; 

Sublimate, 

1  dram ; 

Oil  of  Origanum, 

2  drams ; 

Marsh  mallow  ointment. 

2  ounces ; 

Goose  grease, 

1 1  ounces  ; 

Tar, 

2  ounces ; 

Oil  of  vitriol. 

1  dram ; 

Spirits  of  ammonia. 

1  ounce. 

Mix  all  well 

together. 

After  this  operation,  and  the  scurf  has  fallen  off,  if 
there  should  remain  any  hardness,  and  the  animal  is 
still  lame,  the  blister  may  be  repeated,  which  seldom 
fails  to  produce  a  perfect  cure.  If  the  animal  seems 
weak  in  that  part,  after  the  above  process,  which  is 
sometimes  the  case,  the  plaister  of  burgundy  pitch, 
&c.,  before  recommended,  will  be  proper,  in  order  to 
strengthen  it. 

SOFT  SWELLINGS. 

Frosi  bruises  and  other  accidental  injuries  in  getting 
up  and  lying  down,  cows  are  subject  to  soft  or  oede- 
matous  swellings  of  the  joints,  which  are  without  any 
pain,  heat  or  inflammation.  They  enlarge  often  to  a 
considerable  size,  and  yield  readily  to  the  pressure  of 
the  finger.  Though  this  complaint  is  never  attended 
with  danger,  it  is  troublesome  to  the  animal  from  its 
size,  and  even  difficult  to  remove,  if  it  has  been  of  long 
continuance.     Its  management  depends  on  making  an 


AND    CATTLB   DOCTOR.  20S 

opening  into  the  swelling  in  the  first  instance,  which 
may  be  done  by  running  a  hot  iron  into  the  lowest  or 
most  depending  part  of  it,  making  two  or  three  open- 
ings in  this  way  where  the  fewest  blood  vessels  are 
situated ;  and  this  operation  requires  particular  cau- 
tion, that  the  discharge  may  gradually  come  away, 
and  that  no  vessels  may  be  injured,  from  the  danger 
of  producing  an  internal  hemorrhage,  which  would 
occasion  a  new  increase  of  swelling  and  inflammation, 
instead  of  lessening  the  disease.  When  the  openings 
into  the  swelling  are  properly  made,  and  a  gradual 
evacuation  takes  place,  then  the  orifices  are  to  be 
plugged  up,  within  twenty-four  hours,  with  a  caustic 
composed  of  a  small  quantity  of  corrosive  sublimate, 
in  powder,  placed  on  tow,  which  is  to  be  first  wetted, 
that  the  powder  may  adhere  to  it.  The  effect  of  this 
will  be  to  cause  a  sloughing  of  the  coats  of  the  swell- 
ing, when  a  core  to  a  certain  extent  will  be  brought 
out,  by  which  means  a  suppuration  will  ensue,  and  the 
swelling  be  gradually  reduced  during  its  progress. 
The  swelling  is  to  be  rubbed  at  the  same  time  with  the 
following  mixture : 

Linseed  oil,  8  ounces ; 

Oil  of  turpentine,  2  ounces  ; 

Oil  of  vitriol,  1  ounce. 

Though  the  parts  never  regain  entirely  their  natural 
size,  yet  by  these  operations,  the  animal  will  be  ena- 
bled to  move  the  joint  without  any  inconvenience. 
After  the  wounds  are  healed,  the  remaining  callous  or 
swelling  should  be  blistered  two  or  three  times,  in  order 
to  make  the  joint  more  pliable.  The  blister  most  proper 
for  the  purpose  is  composed  of  Spanish  flies  and  spirits 


204  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

of  ammonia,  as  directed  under  the  head  "  Swellings  on 
the  joints  and  bones." 

LOSS  OF  JOINT  OIL,  OR  SYNOVIA. 

Wounds,  or  punctures  of  the  joints,  often  penetrate 
so  deep  as  to  pierce  through  the  tendons  and  ligaments, 
occasioning  a  loss  or  discharge  of  the  natural  secre- 
tion of  joint,  viz. :  Its  oil,  or  synovia ;  the  same  acci- 
dent may  happen  from  any  injury  exciting  inflamma- 
tion, and  that  inflammation  passing  on  till  it  produces 
an  opening  into  the  joint.  This  disease  is  always  an 
alarming  one,  and  the  principle  of  cure  is  to  produce 
the  process  of  healing  as  quickly  as  possible,  by  exci- 
ting active  inflammation  ;  this  may  be  done  after  the 
first  effects  of  the  injury  have  subsided,  in  consequence 
of  bleeding,  purging  and  fomenting,  in  the  usual  man- 
ner, and  then  applying  the  volatile  blister  to  the  joint, 
composed  of  Spanish  flies,  in  powder,  two  drams,  and 
spirits  of  ammonia,  four  ounces ;  at  the  same  time  the 
orifice  is  to  be  plugged  with  a  tent,  dipped  in  the  fol- 
lowing composition : 

Sweet  spirits  of  nitre,  3  drams  ; 

Butter  of  antimony,  and  extract  of  lead,  each       3  drams. 

The  blister  and  caustic  may  be  occasionally  re- 
peated ;  the  mixture  every  twenty-four  hours,  till  the 
effusion  of  joint  oil  is  completely  stopped;  then  the  fol- 
lowing balsam  may  be  applied  once  or  twice  a  day,  in 
order  to  heal  up  the  wound : 

Tincture  of  myrrh,  2  ounces; 

Blue  vitriol  water,  J  ounce. 

"  The  vitriol  water  may  be  made  by  dissolving  ten 


AND   CATTLE   DOCTOR.  205 

drachms  of  blue  vitriol,  in  powder,  in  a  pint  of  hot 
water ;  the  balsam  to  be  well  shaken  together  previous 
to  using  it.  The  blister  is  to  be  well  rubbed  on  the 
joint,  till  a  plentiful  discharge  takes  place  from  the 
surface,  when  it  becomes  no  longer  requisite.  By  this 
treatment  a  cure  is  generally  effected,  unless  when  the 
bones  are  materially  injured  along  with  the  soil  parts, 
and  then  any  plan  of  cure  will  prove  ineffectual. 
When  weakness  of  the  joint  prevails,  afler  the  run- 
ning of  the  joint-oil  is  stopped,  which  is  generally  the 
case,  a  plaster  of  pitch,  &c.,  as  recommended  above, 
should  be  applied." — SkelleCs  Treatise, 

MANGE. 

This  is  a  cutaneous  disease,  which  is  very  conta- 
gious, for  so  many  cows  as  come  in  contact  with  one 
labouring  under  the  disorder,  will  be  sure  to  catch  it. 
Its  symptoms  are,  a  scarf  on  the  external  part  of  the 
body,  which  is  always  attended  with  an  itching.  This 
the  animal  shows,  by  having  a  continual  inclination  to 
rub  the  affected  part  or  parts  against  any  thing  she  can 
get  at.  Some  say  that  it  is  caused  by  a  kind  of  ani- 
malculse,  which  burrows  in  the  skin.  It  generally  at- 
tacks those  animals  which  are  low  in  flesh,  and  have 
been  fed  on  poor  forage. 

The  first  step  in  order  to  cure  this  disease,  is  to  take 
a  currycomb  and  gently  curry  off  the  scurf,  in  order 
that  the  medicine  may  have  the  better  effect.  Afler 
this  the  following  application  is  to  be  rubbed  on  the 
parts  affected,  which  may  be  repeated  every  three  or 
four  days  till  a  cure  is  effected  ;  and  it  seldom  requires 
more  than  two  or  three  applications : 


206  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

Flowers  of  sulphur.  1  pound; 

Spirits  of  turpentine,  J  pint 

Train  oil,  enough  to  make  it  into  a  thin 
liquid. 

HORN  DISTEMPER. 

This  is  a  disease  which  has  its  seat  in  the  horns. 
Cows  are  more  subject  to  it  than  oxen,  and  it  does  not 
attack  bulls  ;  and  steers  and  heifers,  under  three  years 
old,  it  is  said,  are  not  subject  to  it.  The  distemper 
causes  the  pith  of  the  horn  to  be  gradually  consumed. 
It  is  most  commonly  confined  to  one  horn  only,  but 
sometimes  appears  in  both.  It  is  occasioned  by  poor 
keeping,  by  which  the  blood  becomes  thin  and  reduced, 
and  does  not  circulate  properly  in  the  extremities.  It 
is  discovered  by  the  sluggishness  of  the  animal,  loss 
of  appetite,  a  coldness  of  the  horn,  and  a  disposition 
to  lie  down. 

To  cure  this  disease,  the  horn  should  be  bored  with 
a  nail  gimblet  in  such  a  manner  as  to  effect  the  dis- 
charge of  the  matter  which  has  become  purulent.  The 
hollow  part  should  be  well  cleansed  by  vinegar  in  which 
a  portion  of  salt  has  been  dissolved,  to  be  injected  by  a 
syringe.  Dr.  Deane  recommended  the  injection  of  a 
mixture  of  rum  and  honey,  with  myrrh  and  aloes. 
Stimulating  medicine,  such  as  ginger,  spices,  &c., 
have  been  given,  but  these  are  injurious  until  tho 
bowels  have  been  evacuated.  Laxatives,  however, 
such  as  sulphur,  glauber's  salts,  &c.,  prove  servicea 
ble ;  and  after  the  bowels  are  evacuated,  and  the  horn 
well  cleansed,  good  keeping  will  be  necessary  to  efCes^i 
the  cure. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  207 


TAIL  SICKNESS. 

This  is  a  distemper  attended  with  weakness  and 
sluggishness  to  which  horned  cattle  are  liable  in  the 
spring.  The  end  of  the  tail  becomes  hollow,  and  re- 
laxed, but  not,  as  some  have  asserted,  destitute  of 
feeling.  A  cure  is  easily  effected  by  the  amputation 
of  a  small  piece  of  the  tail,  which  will  be  attended 
with  a  discharge  of  some  blood.  But  when  the  tail  is 
but  little  affected,  and  near  to  the  end,  a  slit  of  an  inch 
or  an  inch  and  a  half,  in  the  end  of  the  tail,  is  prefer- 
able to  amputation. 

ULCERS. 

An  ulcer  is  "  a  solution  of  the  soft  part  of  an  ani- 
mal body,  together  with  the  skin."  The  symptoms  of 
an  ulcer,  which  is  in  a  way  to  be  healed,  are  granula- 
tions, or  little  eminences,  arising  from  the  surface,  of 
a  florid  or  reddish  colour,  small  in  size,  and  pointed 
at  the  top  ;  the  discharge,  white  and  thick.  This  will 
generally  be  effected  by  giving  the  animal  perfect  rest, 
using  mild  and  simple  ointments,  such  as  are  composed 
of  oil  and  bees'  wax,  or  hog's  lard,  which  is  not  rancid. 
Turpentine  and  lard  melted  together  make  a  good 
ointment.  The  following  has  likewise  been  recom- 
mended : 

Goose  gfrease,  ]  pound  ; 

Hog's  lard,  2  pounds  ; 

Red  lead,  3  ounces ; 

Pulverised  alum,  1  pound. 

The  goose  grease  and  lard  are  to  be  melted  over  a 
slow  fire ;  the  lead  is  then  to  be  added  in  fine  powder, 
which  is  to  be  constantly  stirred  till  it  becomes  cold,  in 


208  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

order  that  it  may  be  well  incorporated.     A  little  sul- 
phur and  nitre  may  be  given  by  way  of  alternative. 

If  the  ulcer  assumes  an  inflamed  state,  and  the  sur- 
face is  covered  with  a  brown  transparent  matter,  the 
bllowing  fomentation  will  prove  useful. 

Cammomile  flowers,  J  pound ; 

Wormwood  a  large  handful, 

Bay  and  Juniper  berries,  each  4  ounces ; 

Beer  or  ale  grounds,  emptins  or  yeast,  6  quarts ; 

Vinegar,  .  1  quart. 

The  whole  to  be  boiled  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

Leeches  applied  to  the  edges  of  the  ulcer  will  be  ser- 
viceable, and  purges  of  glauber  salts  or  epsom  salts. 

If  the  ulcer  becomes  black  and  foetid,  with  a  cessa- 
tion of  every  inflammatory  symptom,  and  there  ap- 
pears to  be  danger  of  mortification,  give  an  ounce  of 
Peruvian  bark  every  four  hours  j  a  little  opium  may 
be  joined  with  it.  Fomentation  with  hot  vinegar  will 
be  found  useful,  When  the  parts  suppurate,  cut  off 
the  dead  matter  with  a  knife,  and  afterwards  dress 
with  some  simple  ointment. 

If  there  is  too  rapid  a  growth  of  fungous  matter,  or 
what  is  called  proud  flesh,  it  may  be  well  to  rub  in  a 
small  quantity  of  the  following  caustic  over  the  whole 
surface  of  the  preternatural  growth,  with  a  spatula. 

Soft  soap,  1  ounce  ; 

Arsenic,  i  ounce ; 

Oil  of  vitriol,  J  ounce ; 

Spirits  of  lavender,  ^  dram. 

The  soap  and  arsenic  to  be  mixed  first,  and  then  the 
vitriol  added  by -degrees.  The  whole  may  then  be 
covered  with  the  digestive  ointment  of  tar  and  turpen- 
tine, prepared  as  mentioned  in  a  former  receipt.    By 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  209 

these  means  part  of  the  growth  will  become  dead  in  a 
few  days,  which  may  be  cut  or  pared  off,  and  the  same 
caustic  application  made  to  the  remaining  part  till  the 
whole  is  destroyed. 

In  ulcers  in  fleshy  parts  there  is  often  a  preternatu- 
ral callous,  or  hardened  growth.  This  must  be  de- 
stroyed before  a  cure  can  be  completed.  In  this  case, 
the  before  mentioned  caustic  must  be  applied,  but  used 
with  caution.  The  hard  part  is  to  be  rubbed  with  it 
for  half  the  extent  of  the  swelling,  beginning  at  the 
orifice.  The  dead  parts  are  then  to  be  cut  away  every 
two  or  three  days,  and  the  application  is  to  be  repeated 
till  the  cure  is  complete. 


ON  SHEEP. 

For  the  foot-rot  in  sheep. — Take  a  piece  of  alum,  a 
piece  of  green  vitriol,  and  some  white  mercury — the 
alum  must  be  in  the  largest  proportion  ;  dissolve  them 
in  water,  and  after  the  hoof  is  pareti,  anoint  it  with  a 
feather,  and  bind  on  a  rag  over  all  the  foot. 

Another. — Pound  some  green  vitriol  fine,  and  apply 
a  little  of  it  to  the  part  of  the  foot  affected,  binding  a 
rag  over  the  foot  a?  above.  Let  the  sheep  be  kept  in 
the  house  a  few  hours  after  this  is  done,  and  then  turn 
them  out  to  a  dry  pasture.  This  is  the  most  common 
way  of  curing  the  foot-rot  in  Middlesex. 

Another. — Others  anoint  the  part  with  a  feather  dip- 
ped in  aqua  fortis,  or  weak  nitrous  acid,  which  dries  it 
at  once.  Many  drovers  that  take  sheep  to  Smithfield, 
19* 


210  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

©any  a  little  bottle  of  this  about  with  them,  which,  by 
applying  to  the  foot  with  a  feather,  helps  -a  lame  sheep 
by  hardening-  its  hoof,  and  enabling  it  to  travel  better. 
Some  may  think  aqua  fortis  is  of  too  hot  a  nature,  but 
such  a  desperate  disorder  requires  an  active  cure, 
which,  no  doubt,  is  ever  to  be  used  cautiously. 

Another. — Spread  some  slacked  c[uick  lime  over  a 
house  floor,  pretty  thick,  pare  the  sheep's  feet  well, 
and  turn  them  into  this  house,  where  they  may  remain 
for  a  few  hours,  after  which  turn  them  into  a  dry  pas- 
ture. This  treatment  may  be  repeated  two  or  three 
times,  always  observing  to  keep  the  house  clean,  and 
adding  a  little  more  quick  lime  before  putting  them  in. 

The  foot  must  be  often  dressed,  and  the  sheep  kept 
as  much  as  possible  upon  dry  land.  Those  animals 
that  are  diseased  should  be  kept  separate  from  the 
flock,  as  the  disorder  is  very  infectious. 

Prevention  and  cure  for  the  fool-rot  in  sheep. — On 
suspected  grounds,  constant  and  careful  examination 
ought  to  take  place ;  and  when  any  fissures  or  cracks, 
attended  with  heat,  make  their  appearance,  apply  oil 
of  turpentine  and  common  brandy.  This,  in  general, 
produces  a  very  beneficial  effect,  but  where  the  disease 
has  been  long  seated,  and  becomes,  in  a  manner,  con- 
firmed— after  cleaning  the  foot,  and  paring  away  the 
infected  parts,  recourse  is  had  to  caustics,  of  which 
the  best  seem  to  be  sulphuric  acid,  and  the  nitrate  of 
mercury.  After  this,  pledgets  are  applied,  the  foot 
bound  up,  and  the  animal  kept  in  a  clean,  dry  situation, 
until  its  recovery  is  eflfected.  But*  it  often  happens, 
where  the  malady  is  inveterate,  that  the  disease  refuses 
to  yield  to  any,  or  all  of  the  above  prescriptions.       • 

The  following  mode  of  treatment,  however,  if  care- 
fully attended  to,  may  be  depended  upon  as  a  certain 
cure.     Whenever  the  disease  makes  its  appearance,  let 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  211 

the  foot  be  carefully  examined,  and  the  diseased  part 
well  washed,  and  pared  as  nigh  as  possible,  not  to 
make  it  bleed ;  and  let  the  floor  of  the  house,  where 
the  sheep  are  confined,  be  strewn  three  or  four  inches 
thick  with  quick  lime,  hot  from  the  kiln ;  and  the 
sheep,  after  having  their  feet  dressed  in  the  manner 
above  described,  to  stand  in  it  during  the  space  of  six 
or  seven  hours. 

In  all  cases,  it  is  of  great  importance,  that  the 
animal  be  afterwards  exposed  only  to  a  moderate  tem- 
perature— be  invigorated  with  proper  food — and  kept 
in  a  clean,  easy,  dry  pasture ;  and  the  disease  will  be 
effectually  remedied  in  the  course  of  a  few  days. 

To  prevent  sheep  from  catching  cold  after  being 
shorn. — Sheep  are  sometimes  exposed  to  cold  winds 
and  rains  immediately  after  shearing,  which  exposure 
frequently  hurts  them.  Those  farmers  who  have 
access  to  the  sea,  should  plunge  them  into  the  salt 
water,  those  who  have  not  that  opportunity,  and  whose 
flocks  are  not  very  large,  may  mix  salt  with  water  and 
rub  them  all  over,  which  will  in  a  great  measure  pre- 
vent any  mishap  befalling  the  animal,  after  having 
been  stripped  of  its  coat. 

It  is  very  common  in  the  months  of  June  and  July, 
for  some  kinds  of  sheep,  especially  the  fine  Leicester 
breed,  which  are  commonly  thin-skinned  about  the 
head,  to  be  struck  with  a  kind  of  fly,  and  by  scratch- 
ing the  place  with  their  feet,  they  make  it  sore  and 
raw.  To  prevent  this,  take  tar,  train  oil,  and  salt,  boil 
them  together,  and  when  cold,  put  a  little  of  it  on  the 
part  affected.  This  application  keeps  off  the  flies,  and 
likewise  heals  the  sore.  The  salt  should  be  in  a  very 
small  quantity,  or  powdered  sulphur  may  be  used  in- 
stead of  it. 

To  cure  the  scab  in  sheep. — Take  1  pound  of  quick- 


212  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

silver,  half  a  pound  of  Venice  turpentine,  2  pounds  of 
hog's  lard,  and  half  a  pound  of  oil,  or  spirits  of  tur- 
pentine. A  greater  or  less  quantity  than  the  above 
may  be  mixed  up,  in  the  same  proportion,  according 
to  the  number  of  sheep  affected.  Put  the  quicksilver 
and  Venice  turpentine  into  a  mortar,  or  small  pan, 
which  beat  together  until  not  a  particle  of  the  quick- 
silver can  be  discerned ;  put  in  the  oil,  or  spirits  of 
turpentine,  with  the  hog's  lard,  and  work  them  well 
together  until  made  into  an  ointment.  The  parts  of 
the  sheep  affected  must  be  rubbed  with  a  piece  of  this 
salve,  about  the  size  of  a  nut  or  rather  less.  When 
the  whole  flock  is  affected,  the  shepherd  must  be  care- 
ful in  noticing  those  that  show  any  symptoms  of  the 
disorder,  by  looking  back,  and  offering  to  bite  or 
scratch  the  spot ;  and  if  effected,  he  must  immediately 
apply  the  ointment,  as  it  is  only  by  paying  early  and 
particular  attention,  that  a  flock  can  be  cured. 

2'o  prevent  the  scab. — Separating  the  wool,  lay  the 
before-mentioned  ointment  in  a  strip,  from  the  neck 
down  the  back  to  the  rump  5  another  strip  down  each 
shoulder,  and  one  down  each  hip ;  it  may  not  be  un- 
necessary to  put  one  along  each  side.  Put  very  little 
of  the  ointment  on,  as  too  much  of  it  may  be  attended 
with  danger. 

To  destroy  maggots  in  sheep. — Mix  with  one  quart 
of  spring  water,  a  table  spoonful  of  the  spirits  of  tur- 
pentine, and  as  much  of  the  sublimate  powder  as  will 
lie  upon  a  shilling. 

Shake  them  well  together,  and  cork  it  up  in  a  bot- 
tle, with  a  quill  through  the  cork,  so  that  the  liquid 
may  come  out  of  the  bottle,  in  small  quantities  at 
once.  The  bottle  must  always  be  well  shaken  when  it 
is  to  be  used.  When  the  spot  is  observed  where  the  mag- 
gots are,  do  not  disturb  them,  but  pour  a  little  of  the 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  213 

mixture  upon  the  spot,  as  much  as  will  wet  the  wool 
and  the  maggots.  In  a  few  minutes  after  the  liquor  is 
applied,  the  maggots  will  all  creep  to  the  top  of  the 
wool,  and  in  a  short  time  drop  off  dead.  The  sheep 
must,  however,  be  inspected  next  day,  and  if  any  of 
tl^e  maggots  remain  undestroyed,  shake  them  off  or 
touch  them  with  a  little  more  of  the  mixture. 

A  little  train  oil  may  be  applied  after  the  maggots 
are  removed,  as  sometimes  the  skin  will  be  hard  by 
applying  too  much  of  the  liquid.  Besides,  the  fly  is 
not  so  apt  to  strike  when  it  finds  the  smell  of  the  oil, 
which  may  prevent  a  second  attack. 

This  method  of  destroying  maggots  is  superior  to 
any  other,  and  it  prevents  the  animal  from  being  dis- 
figured by  clipping  off  the  wool,  which  is  a  common 
practice  in  some  countries. 

Cure  for  scab  in  sheep. — The  simplest  and  most  ef- 
ficacious remedy  for  this  disease  was  communicated 
to  the  Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Arts,  kc,  by 
the  late  Sir  Joseph  Banks  ;  and  is  as  follows  : 

Take  1  lb.  of  quicksilver,  half  a  pound  of  Venice 
turpentine,  4  lbs.  of  hogs'  lard. 

Let  them  be  rubbed  in  a  mortar  till  the  quicksilver 
is  thoroughly  incorporated  with  the  other  ingredients. 
For  the  proper  mode  of  doing  which,  it  may  be  right 
to  take  the  advice  or  even  the  assistance  of  some 
apothecary,  or  other  person  used  to  make  such  mixtures. 

The  method  of  using  this  ointment  is  this :  Begin- 
ning at  the  head  of  the  sheep,  and  proceeding  from  be- 
tween the  ears,  along  the  back,  to  the  end  of  the  tail ; 
the  wool  is  to  be  divided  in  a  furrow,  till  the  skin  can 
be  touched,  and  as  the  furrow  is  made,  the  finger, 
slightly  dipped  in  the  ointment,  is  to  be  drawn  along 
the  bottom  of  it,  where  it  will  leave  a  blue  stain  on  the 
skin  and  adjoining  wool. 


214  EVERY    MA^    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

From  this  furrow,  similar  ones  must  be  drawn  down 
the  shoulders  and  thighs  to  the  legs, -as  far  as  they  are 
woolly ;  and  if  the  animal  is  much  infected,  two  more 
should  be  drawn  along-  each  side,  parallel  to  that  on 
the  back,  and  one  down  each  side,  betweien  the  fore 
and  hind  legs.  , 

Immediately  after  being  dressed,  it  is  usual  to  turn 
the  sheep  among  other  stock,  without  any  fear  of  the 
infection  being  communicated ;  and  there  is  scarcely 
an  instance  of  a  sheep  suffering  any  injury  from  the 
application.  In  a  few  days  the  blotches  dry  up,  the 
itching  ceases,  and  the  animal  is  completely  cured. 
It  is  generally,  however,  thought  proper  not  to  delay 
the  operation  beyond  Michaelmas. 

The  hippobosca  ovina,  called  in  Lincolnshire,  Sheep- 
fagg,  an  animal  well  known  to  all  shepherds,  which 
lives  among  the  wool,  and  is  hurtful  to  the  thriving  of 
sheep,  both  by  the  pain  its  bite  occasions,  and  the 
blood  it  sucks,  is  destroyed  by  this  application,  and  the 
wool  is  not  at  all  injured.  Our  wool-buyers  purchase 
the  fleeces  on  which  the  stain  of  the  ointment  is  visible, 
rather  in  preference  to  others,  from  an  opinion,  that  the 
use  of  it  havijig  preserved  the  animal  from  being  vexed, 
either  with  the  scab  or  faggs,  the  wool  is  liable  to  the 
defects  of  joints  or  knots;  a  fault  observed  to  proceed 
from  every  sudden  stop  in  the  thriving  of  the  animal, 
either  from  want  of  food.  Or  from  disease. 

To  cure  the  water  in  the  heads  of  sheep. — Of  all  the 
various  operations  by  which  this  distemper  may  be 
eradicated,  I  must,  from  experience,  give  the  preference 
to  one  which  will,  perhaps,  astonish  such  of  your 
readers  as  form  their  opinions  more  from  theory  than 
practice.  A  number  of  medical  men  have  already  con- 
troverted the  fact;  and,  with  the  utrnost  presumption, 
disputed  my  veracity  to  my  face?  after  I  had  witnessed 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  215 

• 

its  efficacy  in  a  thousand  instances.  It  is  no  other  than 
that  of  putting  a  sharpened  wire  up  the  nostril  quite 
through  the  middle  of  the  brain,  and  by  that  means 
perforating  the  bag  which  contains  the  fluid  causing 
the  disease.  This  is,  of  all  other  methods,  the  most 
certain  to  succeed :  but  it  has  this  unpleasant  append- 
age annexed  to  it,  if  it  do  not  cure,  it  is  certain  to  kilL 

This  method  of  cure  is  not  only  the  most  expedient, 
but  it  is  in  every  shepherd's  power,  and  one  which  he 
can  scarcely  perform  amiss,  if  he  attend  to  the  follow- 
ing plain  directions. 

The  operation  must  be  performed  with  a  stiff  steel 
wire,  such  as  is  used  for  knitting  the  coarsest  stockings. 
It  must  be  kept  clean,  and  free  of  rust,  oiled,  and  sharp- 
ened at  the  point.  Care  must  be  taken,  however,  that 
its  point  be  only  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  length,  for  if 
it  is  tapered  like  a  needle,  it  is  apt  to  take  a  wrong  di- 
rection in  going  up  the  nostrils,  fix  in  the  gristle  below 
the  brain,  and  torment  the  animal  to  no  purpose.  If 
blunt  in  the  point,  it  often  fails  to  penetrate  the  bladder, 
which  is  of  considerable  toughness,  shoving  it  only  a 
little  to  one  side ;  the  safest  way,  of  course,  is  to  have 
the  point  of  the  wire  sharp  and  short. 

The  shepherd  must  first  feel  with  his  thumbs  for  the 
soft  part  in  the  skull,  which  invariably  masks  the  seat  of 
his  disease.  If  that  is  near  the  middle  of  the  head  above, 
where  in  two  cases  out  of  three,  at  least,  it  is  sure  to  be, 
let  him  then  fix  the  animal  betwixt  his  knees,  hold  the 
head  with  one  hand,  laying  his  thumb  on  the  soft  or 
diseased  part,  and  with  the  other  hand  insert  the  wire  by 
the  nostril,  most  on  a  parallel  with  the  seat  of  the  dis- 
temper, aiming  directly  at  the  point  where  his  thumb 
is  placed.  The  operation  is* performed  in  one  second, 
for  if  he  feels  the  point  of  the  wire  come  in  contact 
with  his  thumb,  let  him  instantly  set  the  animal  to  its 


216  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

feet ;  and  if  the  weather  is  at  all  cold,  let  it  stand  in 
the  house  over  night. 

If  the  disease  is  seated  exactly  in  that  part  where  the 
divisions  of  the  skull  meet,  and  consequently  in  a  right 
line  with  the  top  of  the  nose,  he  must  probe  both  nos- 
trils ;  when,  should  he  miss  the  bulb  on  one  side,  he 
will  be  sure  to  hit  it  on  the  other.  If  the  seat  of  the 
disease  cannot  at  all  be  found,  and  if  the  animal  have 
all  the  symptoms  of  the  malady,  the  water  is  then  in- 
closed among  the  ventricles  in  the  middle  of  the  brain, 
and  must  be  treated  as  above.  Nothing  can  be  done 
in  the  last  case,  save  with  the  wire ;  but  it  is  hard  to 
cure  them  when  so  affected.  I  have  found,  on  dissec- 
tion, the  fluid  contained  in  many  little  cells  in  the 
centre  of  the  brain ;  and  though  the  wire  had  pene- 
trated some  of  those  cells,  it  had  missed  others. 

By  this  simple  operation  alone,  I  have  cured  hun- 
dreds; and  though  I  never  kept  an  exact  register,  I 
think  I  have  not  known  it  to  fail  above  once  in  four 
times  at  an  average,  in  all  the  instances  which  have 
come  under  my  observation;  and  some  of  these  I  knew 
to  be  injudiciously  performed,  the  disease  not  being 
seated  in  a  point  which  the  wire  could  reach.  I  have 
at  times  cured  a  dozen,  and  ten  in  regular  succession, 
without  failing  once,  and  I  have  again,  in  some  cold 
seasons  of  the  year,  killed  three  or  four  successively. 

Sir  George  M'Kenzie  has  insinuated,  in  his  book  on 
sheep,  that  I  was  the  inventor  of  this  mode  of  cure — 
but  it  is  by  no  means  the  case. 

The  practice,  I  understand,  has  been  in  use  among 
shepherds  for  ages  past;  but  they  were  often  obliged 
to  perform  it  privately ;  their  masters,  like  the  pro- 
fessors about  Edinburgh;  always  arguing,  that  the 
piercing  of  the  brain  must  necessarily  prove  fatal. 
Sir  George  has,  however,  misunderstood  my  account 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  217 

in  this  matter,  in  the  Highland  Society's  Transactions ; 
I  did  not  mean  to  insinuate  that  it  was  with  pleasure  I 
discovered  the  art^of  curing  them  in  this  way,  but 
only  my  success  in  that  art.  I  mentioned  in  these 
Transactions,  that  when  I  was  a  shepherd  boy,  for  a 
number  of  years  I  probed  the  skull  of  every  sturdied 
sheep  I  could  lay  my  hands  on,  without  any  regard 
to  whom  they  belonged,  and  likewise  took  every 
opportunity  of  visiting  my  patients  as  often  as  possible ; 
and  as  the  country  around  me  swarmed  with  them 
every  spring  and  summer,  my  practice,  of  course,  was 
of  prodigious  extent.  It  was  several  years  before  I 
was  sensible  of  failing  in  one  instance,  which,  how- 
ever, it  was  often  impossible  to  ascertain,  they  having 
left  the  spot  sometimes,  before  I  could  again  go  that 
way  :  but  many  a  valuable  young  sheep  I  cured  to  dif- 
ferent owners,  without  ever  acknowledging  it,  having 
no  authority  to  try  such  experiments. 

The  following  symptoms,  after  the  operation,  may 
be  depended  on.  If  the  animal  becomes  considerably 
sick,  it  is  a  good  sign  that  it  will  recover. 

If  it  continues  to  grow  sicker,  and  abstains  from 
feeding  for  the  space  of  two  days,  it  is  likely  to  die ; 
and  if  in  a  condition  to  be  fit  for  family  use,  ought  to 
be  killed  forthwith.  The  flesh  of  the  animal  is  none 
the  worse  for  this  disease ;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  uni- 
versally supposed  by  the  country  people,  that  their 
flesh  is  sweeter,  more  delicate  and  palatable,  than  any 
other.  This,  I  suppose,  must  be  owing  to  their  tender 
age,  it  being  unusual  to  kill  any  sheep  so  young,  save 
lambs. 

The  first  symptom  of  recovering  is  their  bleating 

If  once  they  begin  to  bleat  occasionally,  they  are  surs 

to  recover,  however  stupid  they  may  appear  at  that 

time.     It  seems  that  thev  are  then  becoming  sensible 

19' 


218 


EVERY    3fAN    HIS    OWJf    FARRIER 


of  the  want  of  society,  the  only  thing  which  causes 
sheep  to  bleat,  and  which  for  a  long  time  previous  to 
that,  they  had  totally  disregarded.  ^ 

J  must  mention  here,  that  the  most  successful  curei 
of  this  distemper  J  ever  knew,  performed  the  operation 
in  a  different  manner  from  the  one  practised  by  me, 
and  above  recommended,  instead  of  a  wire,  he  car- 
ried always  a  large  corking  pin  in  his  bonnet,  and,  like 
me,  tapped  every  sturdied  sheep  he  found,  but  always 
above,  putting  the  point  of  the  pin  through  the  skull 
at  the  place  where  it  was  most  soft,  in.  the  same  man- 
ner as  the  trocar  is  used.  As  this  does  not  at  all  en- 
danger the  sheep's  life,  I  frequently  tried  this  plan  pre- 
vious to  that  of  probing  with  the  wire;  but,  as  far  as  I 
can  recollect,  I  never  cured  one  by  that  means. 

I  remember  of  once  conversing  with  him  on  the 
subject,  when  he  told  me  that  he  seldom  or  never  failed 
of  curing  them  upon  their  own  farms;  but  that,  in 
sundry  neighbouring  farms,  he  rarely  cured  any.  From 
this,  it  would  appear  that  on  different  soils,  the  animals 
are  differently  affected.  I  am  now  convinced  that  he 
must  generally  have  inserted  the  pin  so  far  as  to  pene- 
trate the  bottom  of  the  sac,  which  I  never  had  the 
sense  to  try,  and  which,  if  we  reason  from  analogy, 
must  prove  as  effective  and  less  hazardous  than  the 
other;  for  it  appears  to  me,  that  in  order  to  ensure  a 
recovery,  it  is  necessary  that  the  bottom,  or  lowest 
part  of  the  sac,  be  penetrated. 

Undoubtedly,  the  best  mode  of  curing  this  disease 
would  be,  to  extract  the  sac,  and  all  that  it  contains, 
entirely.  There  is  little  doubt  that,  if  this  were  per- 
formed by  gentle  and  skilful  hands,  it  would  prove  the 
most  effectual  cure;  but  as  it  is,  I  can  attest  that  it 
seldom  proves  successful.  The  shepherds  have  not 
skill  and  ingenuity  sufficient  to  close  the  skull  properly 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  219 

Up  again,  or  sow  it  in  such  a  manner  as  is  requisite  to 
defend  it  from  external  injury ;  of  course,  1  would 
rather  recommend  the  mode  in  which  they  cannot 
easily  go  wrong,  and  which  I  have  seen  prove  most 
beneficial,  when  performed  by  men  of  like  acquire- 
ments with  themselves. 

To  prevent  the  '"•  sturdy^''''  or  water  in  the  heads  of 
sheep. — With  regard  to  tlie  causes  inducing  water  in 
the  heads  of  sheep,  there  is  but  one  opinion  entertained 
among  shepherds,  which  is,  that  it  is  occasioned  by  a 
chilness  in  the  back  of  the  animal,  on  account  of  its 
being  exposed  to  the  winds,  and  the  sleety  showers  of 
winter.  These  cause  it  to  acquire  a  kind  of  numbness 
and  torpidity,  which,  if  often  repeated,  are  apt  to  ter- 
minate in  an  affection  to  gid(Uness,  and  finally  in  a 
water  in  the  head. 

That  this  disease  is  occasioned  solely  by  a  chilness 
in  the  back,  appears  from  the  following  facts : 

1.  It  is  always  most  general  after  a  windy  and  sleety 
winter. 

2.  It  is  always  most  destructive  on  farms  that  are 
ill-sheltered,  and  on  which  the  sheep  are  most  exposed 
to  those  blasts  and  showers. 

3.  It  preys  only  on  sheep  rising  their  first  year,  the 
wool  of  which  separates  above,  leaving  the  back  quite 
exposed  to  the  wet  and  to  the  cold. 

4.  If  a  piece  of  cloth  or  hide  is  sewed  to  the  wool, 
so  as  to  cover  the  back,  such  a  sheep  will  not  be 
affected  with  the  disease.  The  experiment  is  a  safe,  a 
cheap,  and  an  easy  one;  and,  exclusive  of  its  good 
effects  in  preventing  the  fatal  disease  under  considera- 
tion, it  is  the  most  beneficial  to  a  young  sheep  that  is 
not  over  high  in  condition,  and  administers  the  most 
to  its  comfort  during  the  winter,  of  any  other  that  I  know. 
It  keeps  the  wool  from  opening,  and  the  sheep  always 
dry  and  warm  in  the  back,  which,  exposed  to  cold, 


220  EVERY    MAN    KIS    OWN    FARRIER 

either  in  man  or  beast,  it  is  well  known,  affects  the 
vitals  materially.  When  thus  shielded  the  young  sheep 
will  feed  straight  in  the  wind,  on  the  worst  days, 
without  injury,  and,  indeed,  without  much  regarding 
the  weather.  This  covering  keeps  them  from  the 
rain,  prevents  them  from  being  shelled  and  loaded  with 
frozen  snow,  and  from  destruction  by  cold, by  leanness, 
and  the  water  in  the  head.  The  expense  attending  it 
is  so  trifling,  that  it  is  scarcely  worth  mentioning.  One 
pair  of  old  blankets,  of  the  value  of  four  or  five  shil- 
lings, will  furnish  coats  for  forty  sheep ;  and  if  these 
are  carefully  taken  off  on  the  return  of  spring,  and  laid 
aside,  they  will  serve  the  purpose  for  two  or  three 
successive  years. — Farmers'^  Magazine. 

Practice  of  the  Spanish  Shepherds. — The  first  care 
of  the  shepherd  on  coming  to  the  spot  where  his  sheep 
are  to  spend  the  summer,  is  to  give  to  his  ewes  as 
much  salt  as  they  will  eat.  For  this  purpose  he  is 
provided  with  twenty-five  quintals  of  salt  for  every 
thousand  head,  which  is  consumed  in  less  than  five 
months ;  but  they  eat  none  on  their  journey  or  in 
winter.  The  method  of  giving  it  to  them  is  as  follows  : 
The  shepherd  places  fifty  or  sixty  flat  stones  about  five 
steps  distant  from  each  other;  he  strews  salt  upon 
each  stone,  then  leads  his  flock  slowly  through  the 
stones,  and  every  sheep  eats  at  pleasure.  This  is  fre- 
quently repeated,  observing  not  to  let  them  eat  on 
those  days  in  any  spot  where  there  is  limestone.  When 
"they  have  eaten  the  salt,  they  are  led  to  some  argilla- 
ceous spots,  where,  from  the  craving  they  have  acquired, 
they  devour  every  thing  they  meet  with,  and  return 
again  to  the  salt  with  redoubled  ardour. 

Pelt-rot. —  hi  this  disease  the  wool  falls  ofl^*,  but  the 
skin  does  not  become  sore,  but  is  merely  covered  with 
a  white  crust. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  221 

Cure. — Full  feeding,  warm  keeping,  and  anointing 
the  hard  part  of  the  skin  with  tar,  oil  and  butter,  mixed 
together. 

Tick. — As  these  occasion  a  constant  scratching,  they 
pro\%  injurious  to  the  wool,  and  they  sometimes  occa- 
sion the  death  of  lean  sheep. 

Cure. — Blow  tobacco-  smoke  into  ev^ry  part  of  the 
fleece,  by  means  of  a  bellows.  I'he  smoke  is  taken 
into  the  bellows,  the  wool  is  opened,  the  smoke  is 
blown  in,  and  the  wool  is  then  closed.  This  is  re- 
peated over  every  part  of  the  body,  at  proper  distances. 
It  is  quickly  performed. 

Staggers. — A  disease  of  the  brain,  which  renders 
them  unable  to  stand. 

Cure. — Dissolve  assafoetida  in  warm  water,  and  put 
half  a  spoonful  in  each  ear  of  the  sheep.  It  is  a  speedy 
remedy. 

Colds. — The  principal  indication  of  this  is  the  dis- 
charge of  mucus  from  the  nose.  Good  feeding,  to- 
gether with  some  pine  boughs  given  them  occasionally, 
will  cure  this  complaint.  If  pine  boughs  cannot  be 
had,  spread  some  tar  over  a  board,  and  over  this  spread 
some  salt,  which  will  induce  the  sheep  to  lick  up  all 
the  tar,  and  this  will  effect  a  cure.  Whenever  this, 
however,  becomes  habitual  with  old  sheep,  they  should 
be  killed  oft'. 

Purging. — If  any  are  severely  afflicted  in  the  spring 
with  this,  which  sometimes  happens  after  being  turned 
out  to  grass,  house  them,  give  them  a  dose  of  castor- 
oil,  feed  them  with  dry  food,  and  give  them  some  crusts 
of  wheat  bread.     A  slight  purging  will  not  hurt  them. 

Hove. — Sheep,  like  neat-cattle,  when  put  into  clover- 
pastures,  sometimes  have  their  stomachs  distended  by 
wind,  so  that  they  will  die  if  not  relieved.  The  swell- 
ing rises  highest  on  the  left  side,  and  in  this  place  let  the 
knife  be  inserted,  or  other  means  used  to  the  same  effect. 


222  EVEIIY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

Pining. — When  the  excrement  of  the  lamb  becomes 
so  glutinous  as  to  fasten  the  tail  to  the  vent,  it  must  be 
washed  clean,  and  have  the  buttocks  and  tail  rubbed 
with  dry  clay,  which  will  prevent  any  further  adhesion. 

•Sometimes  it  may  be  found  necessary  to  bleed  S|^oep, 
to  allay  some  inflammatory  disorder. 

Daubenton  recommends  bleeding  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  cheek,  at  the  spot  where  the  root  of  the  fourth 
tootli  is  placed,  which  is  the  thickest  part  of  the  cheek, 
and  is  marked  on  the  external  surface  of  the  bone  of 
the  upper  jaw,  by  a  tubercle  sufficiently  prominent  to 
be  very  sensible  to  the  finger,  when  the  skin  of  the 
cheek  is  touched.  This  tubercle  is  a  certain  index  to 
the  angular  vein  which  is  placed  below. 

The  method  of  bleeding,  after  finding  the  vein,  it  is 
hardly  necessary  to  describe. 

Philip  de  Castro,  a  Spanish  sheplierd,  has  written  a 
short  treatise  on  the  diseases  of  sheep  in  Spain,  and  of 
their  management  there ;  and  he  recommends  that 
bleeding  should  be  performed  in  a  vein  in  the  fore  part 
of  the  dug.  The  essay  of  this  shepherd  is  believed  to 
be  worthy  of  some  further  notice. 

He  says  the  merino  sheep  of  Spain  are  subject  to  the 
following  diseases  : 

The  Scab. — Cured  by  juniper  oil,  when  the  weather 
is  wet,  or  by  a  decoction  of  tobacco  in  dry  weather.. 

BasguiUa. — Occasioned  by  too  much  blood.  Cured 
by  bleeding  in  the  dug,  as  before  mentioned. 

Moderez. — (Lethargy)  occasioned  by  pustules  formed 
on  the  brain.  The  sheep  keep  turning,  while  feeding, 
to  the  si;le  where  the  pustules  are  formed.  Few  re- 
cover, and  the  disease  is  infectious.  Some  get  well  in 
part  by  pricking  the  part  affected  with  an  awl;  but 
those  attacked  with  this  disorder  should  be  killed  off. 

Smallpox. — Being  blisters,  which  first  appear  on  the 
flanks,  and  spread  over  the  body.     It  is  produced  by 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  223 

drinking  stagnant  waters.  The  diseased  sheep  are  to 
be  kept  apart  from  the  rest,  as  the  disease  is  infectious, 
and  when  the  blisters  break  anoint  them  with  sweet 
oil. 

Lastly,  Lameness. — This  appears  to  be  the  same  as 
is  described  by  Mr.  Livingston. 

He  observes  that  the  legs  of  sheep  are  furnished 
with  a  duct  which  terminates  in  the  fissure  of  the  hoof; 
from  which,  when  the  animal  is  in  health,  there  is  se- 
creted a  white  fhiid ;  but  when  sickly,  these  ducts  are 
stopped  by  the  hardness  of  the  fluid. 

He  adds  that  he  had,  in  some  instances  found  the 
sheep  relieved  by  pressing  out  the  hardened  matter 
with  the  finger  from  the  orifice  of  the  duct  in  each  foot 
Perhaps  it  may  in  some  cases  be  proper  to  place  their 
feet  in  warm  w^ater,  or  to  use  a  probe,  or  hard  brush, 
for  cleansing  this  passage. 

He  concludes  by  observing,  that  probably  the  ill 
health  of  sheep,  in  wet  or  muddy  pastures,  may  in 
some  measure  be  ascribed  to  the  necessity  of  keeping 
these  ducts  free  and  open. 

Frequently  changing  flocks  of  sheep  from  one  farm 
to  another,  where  the  pastures  are  equally  good,  is 
very  beneficial  to  them.  We  know  a  flock  which,  for 
several  years  past,  have  been  pastured  on  different 
farms,  by  being  let  out  to  different  farmers  on  shares, 
which  are  much  the  finest  looking  sheep  to  be  found 
any  where  in  the  neighbourhood  where  they  belong. 

The  farmer  who  would  rejoice  to  see  our  country 
so  far  independent,  as  to  become  stocked  with  woollen 
fabrics  of  our  own  making,  must  feel  himself  impelled 
by  his  patriotism  to  endeavour  to  afford  his  share  of 
supplies  of  wool,  which  are  so  needful  to  our  infant 
manufactories;  and  he  who  is  insensible  to  a  love  of 
country,  may  still  find  a  powerful  incentive  to  the 
raising  of  sheep  in  consulting  his  own  interest. 


'«J24  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWS    FAKRIER 

The  raising  of  merino  sheep,  in  particular,  is  un- 
doubtedly very  profitable ;  and  the  nearer  the  farmer 
brings  his  breed  to  that  of  the  full-blood,  the  greater 
will  be  his  profit.  Like  every  thing,  however,  which 
innovates  upon  ancient  usages,  the  merino  has  its  pre- 
judices to  encounter;  and  the  savage  who  first  intro- 
duced the  use  of  his  bow  and  arrow  to  his  countrymen, 
no  doubt  had  the  same.  But  let  the  sensible  and  spi- 
rited farmer  persevere,  and  in  the  end  his  merino  flock 
will  afford  him  a  rich  harvest ;  the  pleasure  and  profit 
of  which  his  weaker  neighbour  must  forego,  as  a  tax 
on  his  prejudices. 


ON  SWINE. 


Of  the  Diseases  in  Swine. — A  hog  is  a  very  bad  crea- 
ture to  doctor;  therefore,  to  prevent  their  diseases, 
should  be  an  object  of  our  attention. 

Keep  him  well  if  you  can,  but  not  so  as  to  burden 
him  with  fat  in  hot  weather ;  keep  his  body  open,  and 
there  will  be  little  danger  of  his  being  sick.  Brim- 
stone, in  small  doses,  is  excellent  for  a  hog;  antimony 
is  also  good  ;  but  if  you  can  get  neither,  chamber  ley 
put  in  their  swill  will  answer  a  good  purpose.  It  is 
necessary  to  keep  a  hog's  issues  open.  The  practice 
of  feeding  store,  hogs  three  times  a  day  is  not  good : 
whereas,  if  the)^  are  fed  only  morning  and  night,  they 
keep  their  appetite,  eat  their  food  clean,  and  grow  the 
faster. 

To  cure  the  measles  in  swine. — It  sometimes  hap- 
jjens,  though  seldom,  that  swine  have  the  measles  : 
while  they  are  in  this  state,  their  flesh  is  very  unwhole- 
some food.  This  disorder  is  not  easily  discovered 
while  the  animal  is  alive,  and  can  only  be  known  by 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  225 

its  not  thriving  or  fattening  as  the  others.  After  the 
animal  is  killed  and  cut  up,  its  fat  is  full  of  little  ker- 
nels, about  the  size  of  the  roe  or  eggs  of  a  salmon. 
When  this  is  the  case,  put  into  the  food  of  each  hog, 
once  or  twice  a  week,  as  much  crude  pounded  anti- 
mony as  will  lie  on  si  shilling.  This  is  very  proper, 
for  any  feeding  swine,  even  though  they  have  no  dis- 
order. A  small  quantity  of  the  flower  of  brimstone, 
also,  may  be  given  among  their  food  when  they  are 
not  thriving,  which  will  be  found  of  great  service  to 
them.  But  the  best  method  of  preventing  disorders  in 
swine,  is  to  keep  their  sties  perfectly  clean  and  dry, 
and  to  allow  them  air,  exercise  and  plenty  of  clean 
straw. 

Another. — Rub  them  all  over  with  a  stiff  brush 
dipped  in  cold  water,  then  boil  parsley 'roots  and  rue 
in  salt  water  and  give  it  them  to  drink. 

Rupture  in  swine. — When  a  number  of  swine  are 
bred,  it  will  frequently  happen  that  some  of  the  pigs 
will  have  what  is  called  a  "  rupture  ;"  i.  e.,  a  hole 
broken  in  the  rim  of  the  belly,  where  part  of  the  guts 
come  out  and  lodge  betwixt  the  rim  of  the  belly  and 
the  skin,  having  an  appearance  similar  to  a  swelling  in 
the  testicles.  The  male  pigs  are  more  liable  to  this 
disorder  than  the  female.  It  is  cured  by  the  following 
means : 

Geld  the  pig  affected,  and  cause  it  to  be  held  up 
with  its  head  downwards ;  flay  back  the  skin  from  the 
swollen  place,  and,  from  the  situation  in  which  the 
pig  is  held,  the  guts  will  naturally  return  to  their  pro- 
per place.  Sew  up  the  hole  with  a  needle,  which 
must  have  a  square  point,  and  also  a  bend  in  it,  as  the 
disease  often  happens  between  the  hinder  legs,  where 
a  straight  needle  cannot  be  used.  After  this  is  done, 
replace  the  skin  that  was  flayed  back  and  sew  it  up, 
when  the  operation  is  finished.     The  pig  should  not 


226  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    PARKIER 

have  much  food  for  a  few  days  after  the  operation, 
until  the  wound  begins  to  heal. 

For  a  fever, — Let  them  bleed  in  the  tail,  and  give 
them,  thrice  a  day,  water  wherein  pepper  and  parsnip 
roots  have  been  boiled. 

For  the  swine  pox. — Take  an  t)unce  of  nitre,  pound 
it,  and  dissolve  it  in  a  pint  of  cider ;  add  to  it  half  a 
pint  of  sweet  oil  and  one  spoonful  of  honey,  to  be 
given  to  the  swine  lukewarm. 

For  catarrhs. — Take  two  ounces  of  coriander  seed, 
one  of  ginger,  three  of  honey,  and  half  an  ounce  of 
tumeric  ;  let  it  be  powdered  fine  and  boiled  in  three 
quarts  of  new  milk,  then  let  the  hog  drink  it. 

Of  drenches. — It  is  a  practice  among  people  in 
general,  when  their  hogs  are  sick,  to  put  a  rope  in  their 
mouths  and  h*ang  them  up  to  drenching.  This  is  a 
very  bad  practice ;  for  while  you  are  pouring  your 
medicine  down,  the  hog  will  squeak,  and  ten  to  one 
the  liquid  goes  down  the  windpipe  and  chokes  him. 
If  you  can  give  your  hog  his  medicine  in  milk  or  some 
other  food,  that  he  will  drink,  it  is  well ;  if  not,  do 
not  force  it  down  in  the  manner  of  drenching,  but  give 
it  to  him  in  the  form  of  a  glyster.  This  is  always 
safe,  and  as  effectual  as  any  method  whatever. 

Issues. — The  issues  in  a  hog  are  places  on  the  in- 
side of  their  legs,  which  are  porous,  like  a  pepper-box 
top.  Here,  it  seems,  is  the  most  immediate  outlet  for 
the  superfluous  fluid  of  the  body ;  when  these  get 
stopped  (as  hogs  are  fond  of  filth  and  mire)  the  hog 
loses  his  appetite,  and  becomes  sick;  then  to  drench- 
ing and  choking  as  before  hinted ;  whereas,  if  his 
issues  were  rubbed  and  picked  open,  he  would  imme- 
diately recover. 

Fattening  of  Swine. — The  Hon.  Mr.  Peters,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, has  asserted  that  fatting  hogs  should  always 
be  supplied  with  dry  rotten  wood,  which  should  be 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  227 

kept  in  their  pen,  for  the  animals  to  eat  as  their  appe- 
tites or  instincts  may  direct.  It  has  been  suppose^], 
likewise,  that  swine  thrive  better  when  they  can  obtain 
fresh  earth,  which  they  are  observed  often  to  swallow 
w  ith  greediness.  The  probability  is  that  nature  directs 
these  creatures  to  the  use  of  such  substances  as  ab- 
sorbents to  correct  the  acidities  of  their  stomachs. 
Charcoal,  it  is  said  by  some,  will  answer  a  similar  if 
not  more  valuable  purpose  ;  and  that  if  swine  are  sup- 
plied with  this  last  mentioned  substance  they  show  but 
little  inclination  for  rooting,  and  are  much  more  quiet 
in  their  pens  than  under  ordinary  treatment. 

Mr.  Peters,  and  sortie  other  eminent  agriculturists, 
have  asserted  that  food  for  swine  is  much  the  best  for 
fattening  them,  when  it  has  been  soured  by  fermenta- 
tion, and  it  is  even  supposed  that  one  gallon  of  sour 
wash  will  go  as  far  as  two  of  sweet  for  this  purpose. 
And  an  English  writer  tells  us  that  "  the  best  method 
of  feeding  all  kinds  of  grain  to  hogs,  is  to  grind  it  to 
meal,  and  mix  it  with  water,  in  cisterns  made  for  the 
purpose,  in  the  proportion  of  five  bushels  of  meal  to  a 
hundred  gallons  of  water  •,  the  mass  to  be  well  stirred 
several  times  each  day,  until  it  has  fermented  and  be- 
come acid,  when  it  will  become  ready  for  use.  In  this 
way  two  or  three  cisterns  must  be  kept  for  fermenting 
in  succession ;  and  the  profit  will  pay  the  expense." 

Hogs  cannot  be  fattened  so  cheaply  in  very  cold  as 
in  temperate  weather,  unless  they  are  guarded  with 
great  care  against  the  inclemency  of  the  season.  In 
the  winter  too,  acid  or  fermented  food  cannot  so  well 
be  procured  for  them,  as  the  low  temperature  of  the 
air  will  stop  fermentation,  if  not  freeze  the  wash  under 
ordinary  circumstances.  The  food  for  swine  may  be 
fermented  by  being  kept  in  an  apartment  kept 
at  near  summer  heat  by  a  stove.  The  "wash  may 
also   be  kept  warm   by   steam*  introduced  according 


228  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

to  RumfortPs  plan.  But  heating  liquids  by  steam 
is  •  not  so  easy  a  process  as  would  seem  at  the 
lirst  thought.  There  must  be  a  large  [that  is  large  in 
proportion  to  the  quantity  of  liquid  to  be  warmed]  and 
strong  boiler,  with  two  safety  valves,  one  opening  out- 
wards to  let  out  the  steam,  if  by  the  sudden  increase  of 
heat  it  should  acquire  so  much  elasticity  as  to  endanger 
the  bursting  of  the  boiler ;  and  one  valve  opening  in- 
wards to  prevent  the  sides  of  the  boiler  from  being 
collapsed,  or  crushed  inward,  or  the  liquid  from  being 
forced  out  of  the  cistern  through  the  steam  tube  into 
the  boiler  by  the  weight  of  the  atmosphere.  Then 
there  must  be  steam  tubes  rising-  some  height  above  the 
surface  of  the  wash  in  the  cistern,  and  descending, 
vertically,  to  near  its  bottom.  The  steam  must  be  so 
elastic  as  to  overcome  not  only  the  pressure  of  the 
atmosphere,  b#t  also  the  additional  pressure  of  that 
part  of  the  liquid  in  the  vessel,  containing  the  wash, 
which  lies  above  the  opening  or  end  of  the  tube  where 
the  steam  is  discharged  into  the  vessel. 

Various  means  may  be  used  to  give  the  wash  a  tem- 
perature conducive  to  fermentation.  Water-tight  tubes 
filled  with  hot  air,  from  a  furnace  or  a  stove,  might 
answer  the  purpose  by  being  carried  through  the  cis- 
tern containing  the  wash  to  be  fermented.  But  for 
common  farming  purpose,  we  believe  it  will  be  best 
either  to  keep  up  a  moderate  degree  of  heat  in  the  room 
or  cellar  in  which  the  wash  is  kept  for  fermentation, 
by  means  of  stoves,  or  to  make  use  of  kettles  or  cal- 
drons set  in  brick  in  the  common  way,  in  which,  after 
the  materials  have  been  well  boiled,  the  liquid  must  be 
kept  of  a  proper  temperature  for  fermentation,  by  oc- 
casionally heating  them.  Wooden  vessels,  or  circular 
rims  of  wood,  may  be  so  adapted  to  the  tops  or  rims 
of  these  kettles,  that  the  whole  will  contain  three  or 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  221) 

four  times  the  quantity,  which  the  kettles  alone  would 
hold.  ]n  these,  roots  and  other  food  might  be  steamed 
and  fermented,  at  the  will  of  the  owner  or  superin- 
tendant  of  the  process.  Where  fermentation  is  the 
object,  it  may  be  w^ell  to  mix  with  the  sweet  wash  a 
little  of  that  which  is  already  soured,  to  serve  as  yeast 
or  leaven. 

The  following  system  of  rearing  and  fattening  swine 
on  an  arable  farm  is  recommended  by  a  writer  in  the 
Farmer's  Magazine.  Upon  a  tillage  farm  consisting  of 
three  hundred  acres,  whereof  two  hundred  are  kept 
under  the  plough,  he  is  of  opinion  that  a  considerable 
sum  may  be  annually  gained  from  keeping  swdne,  were 
the  arrangement  made  in  a  systematic  manner.  One 
main  advantage  of  such  a  branch  of.  rural  economy 
arises  from  little  or  no  capital  being  required  to  carry 
it  on,  while  the  trouble  and  outlay  attending  it  scarcely 
deserve  notice.  With  the  addition  of  one  acre  of  broad 
clover,  and  one  acre  of  tares,  for  the  summer  and 
autumn  months,  and  the  like  extent  of  ground  for 
turnips  and  yams  during  the  winter  and  spring  months, 
this  stock  of  swine  may  be  amply  supported. 

Were  two  breeding  sow^s  kept  on  a  farm  of  the  size 
mentioned,  and  their  produce  reared  by  the  farmer,  it 
may  be  calculated  that  forty  swine,  weighing  seven  or 
eight  stone  each,  would  be  annually  fed  off,  in  the 
months  of  January  and  February  each  year,  the  time 
when  pork  is  most  in  demand.  That  such  a  number 
of  swine  can  be  supported  and  fed  upon  the  ofials  of  a 
three  hundred  acre  farm,  and  other  auxiliary  articles 
specitied,  may  be  pronounced  a  certain  fact. 

The  breeds  he  recommends  are  the  hardy  smaller 
sized  varieties,  but  not  the  Chinese,  or  any  of  the  pot- 
bellied sorts ;  because  he  has  found  that  such  breeds 
will  thrive  and  grow  fat  where  larger  and  finer  breeds 
would  starve. 


230  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

In  fattening  for  bacon  and  flitches  the  larger  breerJs 
are  chosen  ;  and  in  breweries,  distilleries,  oileries,  and 
dairies,  fed  on  grains,  oil-cake,  and  milk ;  but  where 
arable  farmers  keep  swine  of  this  description,  as  is  the 
practice  in  some  of  the  western  counties,  the  method 
is  to  rear  chiefly  on  raw  potatoes  and  Swedish  turnips, 
and  to  fatten  on  these  roots,  boiled  or  prepared  by 
steam,  with  a  mixture  of  oat,  barley,  or  bean  and  pea- 
meal.  Their  troughs  should  often  be  replenished  with 
a  small  quantity  of  food  at  a  time,  and  kept  always 
clean ;  and  their  food  changed  occasionally,  and 
seasoned  with  salt.  If  proper  care  be  taken,  says  a 
late  writer,  a  feeding  pig  should  not  consume  more 
than  six  Winchester  bushels  of  oats  made  into  meal. 
It  ought  to  be  shelled  before  it  is  ground,  the  same  as 
for  family  use,  but  need  not  be  sifted. 

In  fattening  sucking  pigs  all  that  is  requisite  is  to  keep 
the  mother  well  lodged  and  nourished.  Weaned  pigs 
when  to  be  fattened  are  kept  constantly  on  whey,  or 
skimmed  or  butter-milk,  with  frequently  an  addition 
of  peas  or  beans,  or  barley-meal.  Such  good  keeping 
not  only  makes  them  increase  rapidly  in  size,  but  ren- 
ders them  fit  for  the  butcher  at  an  early  age.  Swine 
are  sold  to  the  butcher  at  different  ages,  and  under  dif- 
ferent names  ;  as  pigs  when  a  few  weeks  old ;  as 
porkers  at  the  age  of  five  or  six  months  ;  and  as  full 
grown  hogs  at  from  eighteen  months  to  two  years  old. 
The  young  pigs  are  commonly  roasted  whole  ;  the  por- 
kers are  used  as  fresh  or  pickled  pork  ;  and  the  full 
grown  hogs  are  for  the  most  part  converted  into  ham 
and  bacon.  The  demand  for  porkers,  which  for  Lon- 
don in  particular  is  very  great,  and  which  continues 
almost  throughout  the  year,  is  chiefly  supplied  from 
the  dairies  within  reach  of  that  metropolis. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  231 


Of  airing  Pork  and  Bacon, 

The  curing  or  pickling  of  pork  is  carried  on  to  a 
considerable  extent  at  many  of  our  sea-ports.  The 
carcase  is  cut  in  pieces,  and  packed  in  casks  or  kits, 
made  for  the  purpose,  containing  from  one  to  two  hun- 
dred weight.  Salt  is  dissolved  in  water  till  the  mix- 
ture be  strong  enough  to  swim  an  egg  ;  it  is  then  boiled, 
and,  when  cold,  poured  upon  the  pork  :  when  the  end 
of  the  cask  is  fixed  in,  the  article  is  ready  for  being 
sent  to  market.  Henderson,  a  late  writer,  has  given 
particular  directions  for  the  curing  of  bacon,  founded 
upon  a  long  course  of  experience,  which,  therefore, 
deserves  to  be  more  generally  known. 

The  curing  of  bacon  is  thus  described  by  Hender- 
son, after  much  experience.  After  the  carcase  has 
hung  all  night,  lay  it  upon  a  strong  table,  or  bench 
upon  its  back ;  cut  off  the  head  close  by  the  ears,  and 
cut  the  hinder  feet  so  far  below  the  hough  as  will  not 
disfigure  the  hams,  and  leave  plenty  of  room  to  hang 
them  by  ;  then  take  a  cleaving  knife,  and  if  necessary, 
a  hand  mallet,  and  divide  the  carcase  up  the  middle 
of  the  back  bone,  laying  it  in  two  equal  halves  :  then 
cut  the  ham  from  the  side  by  the  second  joint  of  the 
back  bone,  which  will  appear  on  dividing  the  carcase; 
then  dress  the  ham,  by  paring  off'  the  flank  or  skinny 
part,  so  as  to  shape  it  with  a  half  round  point,  by 
clearing  off*  any  top  fat  that  may  appear ;  the  curer 
will  next  take  off  the  sharp  edge  along  the  back-bone 
with  his  knife  and  mallet,  and  slice  off  the  first  rib 
next  the  shouldex,  where  he  will  perceive  a  bloody 
vein,  which  he  must  take  out,  for  if  it  is  lefl  in,  that 
part  is  apt  to  spoil.  The  corners  must  be  squared  off 
where  the  ham  was  cut  out. 


232  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

In  killing  a  number  of  swine,  what  sides  you  may- 
nave  dressed  the  first  day,  lay  upon  some  flags  or 
boards,  piling  them  up  across  each  other,  and  giving 
each  pitch  a  powdering  of  saltpetre,  and  then  covering 
it  with  salt :  proceed  in  the  same  manner  with  the 
hams,  by  themselves,  and  do  not  omit  giving  them  a 
little  saltpetre,  as  it  opens  the  pores  of  the  flesh  to  re- 
ceive the  salt,  and,  besides,  gives  the  ham  a  pleasant 
flavour,  and  makes  it  more  juicy.  Let  them  lie  in  this 
state  about  a  week,  then  turn  those  on  the  top  under- 
most, giving  them  a  fresh  salting  :  after  lying  two  or 
three  weeks  longer,  they  may  be  hung  up  to  dry  in 
some  chimney,  or  smoke  house ;  or,  if  the  curer 
chooses,  he  may  turn  them  over  again  without  giving 
them  any  more  salt,  in  which  state  they  may  lie  for  a 
month  or  two  without  catching  any  harm,  until  he  has 
convenience  for  drying  them.  Henderson  practiced 
for  many  years  the  custom  of  carting  his  flitches  and 
hams  through  the  country  to  farm  houses,  and  used  to 
hang  them  in  their  chimneys,  and  other  parts  of  the 
house  to  dry,  some  seasons,  to  the  amount  of  five  hun- 
dred carcases ;  this  plan  he  soon  found  was  attended 
with  a  number  of  inconveniences,  and  therefore  he  in- 
vented a  smoke  house. 

Henderson's  smoking  house  is  about  twelve  feet 
square,  and  the  wall,  about  seven  feet  high .  one  of 
these  huts  requires  six  joists  across,  one  close  to  each 
wall,  the  other  four  laid  asunder,  at  proper  distances. 
To  receive  five  rows  of  flitches,  they  must  be  laid  in 
the  top  of  the  wall  ;  a  piece  of  wood  strong  enough  to 
bear  the  weight  of  one  flitch  of  bacon,  must  be  fixed 
across  the  belly  end  of  the  flitch,  by  two  strings,  as  the 
neck  end  must  hang  downwards  ;  the  piece  of  wood 
must  be  longer  than  the  flitch  is  wide,  so  that  each  end 
may  rest  upon  a  beam ;  they  may  be  put  so  near  to 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  233 

each  other  as  not  to  touch ;  the  width  of  it  will  hold 
twenty-four  flitches  in  a  row,  and  there  will  be  five 
rows,  which  will  contain  one  hundred  and  twenty 
flitches  ;  as  many  hams  may  be  hung  at  the  same  time 
above  the  flitches  contrived  in  the  best  manner  we  can. 
The  lower  end  of  the  flitches  will  be  within  two  and  a 
half  or  three  feet  of  the  floor,  which  must  be  covered 
five  or  six  inches  thick  with  saw-dust,  and  must  be 
kindled  at  two  different  sides  ;  it  will  burn,  but  not 
cause  any  flame  to  injure  the  bacon.  The  door  must 
be  kept  close,  and  the  hut  must  have  a  small  hole  in 
the  roof,  so  that  part  of  the  smoke  may  ascend.  That 
lot  of  bacon  and  hams  will  be  ready  to  pack  up  in  a 
hogshead,  to  send  oflf  in  eight  or  ten  days,  or  a  little 
longer,  if  required,  with  little  less  of  weight. 

After  the  bacon  is  salted,  it  may  lie  in  the  salt-house 
as  described,  until  an  order  is  received,  then  imme- 
diately hang  it  up  to  dry.  Henderson  found  this 
smoke  house  to  be  a  great  saving,  not  only  in  the  ex- 
pense and  trouble  of  employing  men  to  cart  and  hang 
it  through  the  country,  but  it  did  not  lose  nearly  so 
much  by  weight  this  process. 

In  the  disposal  of  bacon,  whatever  is  shipped  for 
London  market,  or  any  other,  both  bacon  and  hams, 
must  be  packed  into  a  sugar  hogshead,  or  something 
similar,  to  hold  about  ten  hundred  weight.  Bacon  can 
only  be  cured  from  the  middle  of  September,  until  the 
middle  of  April. 

20* 


234  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 


AGEICULTURAL 

AMD 

MISCELLANEOUS  EECEIPTS. 


OF  GARDENS. 

A  KITCHEN  garden,  well  stored  with  vegetables,  is 
highly  important  to  the  former,  as  the  use  of  these  su- 
persede the  necessity  of  consuming  much  meat ;  a 
practice  equally  consistent  with  economy  and  good 
health.  When  we  perceive  that  the  food  of  the  cotta- 
gers of  Ireland,  is  principally  milk  and  potatoes  ;  that 
these  are  a  race  of  people  which  are  healthy,  robust, 
well-made,  with  strong,  quick,  and  ardent  powers  of 
mind ;  and  when  we  perceive  that  those  savage  na- 
tions which,  for  want  of  other  food,  are  obliged  to  sub- 
sist entirely  on  fish  or  other  meat,  are  generally  the 
most  stupid,  squalid,  and  ill-made  ;  we  certainly  can- 
not draw  conclusions  in  favour  of  eating  great  quan- 
tities of  flesh. 

It  is  advisable  to  have  a  close  high  fence  round  your 
kitchen  and  fruit-gardens.  This,  in  the  first  place, 
renders  every  thing  within  it  secure  from  pillagers ; 
and  also  serves  to  keep  out  fowls.  Another  benefit, 
consists  in  keeping  off  the  strong  cold  winds  of  the 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOK.  235 

spring,  which  are  very  injurious  to  the  young  plants, 
and  also  to  the  fruit,  which  is  then  about  putting  forth. 

Dung  that  is  old,  and  destitute  of  the  seeds  of  weeds, 
ought  only  to  be  used  in  manuring  a  kitchen-garden, 
and  the  ground  ought  not  to  be  ploughed,  but  deeply 
dug,  for  all  vegetables  which  root  deeply  in  the  ground. 
Nothing  further  need  be  said,  with  regard  to  a  kitchen- 
garden,  than  that  a  loose  mellow  soil,  with  a  southerly 
exposure  is  the  best ;  that  it  ought  to  be  kept  rich  ;  that 
as  fast  as  weeds  rise,  they  ought  to  be  extirpated  ;  and 
that  no  weeds  ought  to  be  suffered  to  go  to  seed  within 
the  garden. 

If  the  garden  be  of  a  wettish  or  stiff  soil,  it  will  be 
greatly  benefitted  by  being  thrown  up  into  high  ridges 
in  the  fall ;  at  the  same  time,  this  will  assist  in  des- 
troying the  seeds  of  weeds ;  but  particularly  in  des- 
troying insects  which  may  be  breeding  in  the  soil.- 

To  destroy  Insects. 

In  some  seasons  the  vegetables  in  our  gardens  are 
almost  annihilated  by  worms  of  several  species.  Fall 
ploughing,  or  spading  the  ground  just  before  frost  sets 
in,  and  strewing  the  ground  with  fine  salt  in  the  spring 
some  time  before  the  seeds  are  sown,  are  said  to  be 
sovereign  remedies  against  these  petty  but  powerful 
depredators. 

Some  vegetables  are  offensive  to  all  insects ;  such 
as  the  elder,  especially  the  dwarf  kind,  the  onion, 
tansy,  and  tobacco,  except  to  the  worm  that  preys  on 
the  plant.  The  juice  of  these  may  therefore  be  ap- 
plied, with  effect,  in  repelling  insects ;  and  sometimes 
the  plants  themselves,  while  green,  or  when  reduced  to 
powder,  particularly  the  latter,  when  made  into  snuff. 

Set  an  onion  in  the  centre  of  a  hill  of  cucumbers, 


236  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

squashes,  melons,  &;c.,  and  it  will  effectually  keep  off 
the  yellow  striped  bug,  that  preys  upon  those  plants 
while  young. 

No  doubt  a  plant  of  tobacco,  set  in  the  same  way, 
would  answer  a  similar  purpose  ;  or,  perhaps,  to  sow 
a  few  tobacco  or  onion-seeds  in  the  hill,  when  planting, 
would  have  the  same  effect ;  and  the  growing  plants 
from  these  seeds  could  be  taken  away,  when  no  longer 
wanted  as  protectors. 

Of  other  substances,  sulphur  is  perhaps  the  most 
effectual,  as  every  kind  of  insect  has  an  utter  aver- 
sion to  it. 

Powdered  quick-lime  is  deadly  to  many  insects,  and 
perhaps  offensive  to  all. 

The  same  may  be  observed  of  soot,  wood-ashes,  and 
other  substances  which  are  strongly  alkaline ;  and 
also  of  common  salt  finely  powdered,  brine,  old 
urine,  &c. 

Calomel  is  also  deadly  to  insects ;  and  camphor,  and 
terebinthene  substances  are  offensive  to  them. 

Afler  premising  thus  much,  we  shall  now  speak  of 
insects  separately,  and  begin  with  the 

Canker-worm. 

The  female  of  this  insect  comes  out  of  the  ground 
very  early  in  the  spring,  and  ascends  the  tree  to  de- 
posit her  eggs,  which  she  does  in  suitable  places  in  the 
bark ;  where  they  are  brought  forth,  and  the  young 
brood  live  on  the  leaves  of  the  tree. 

The  only  effectual  remedy  is,  to  prevent  the  insect 
from  ascending  the  tree ;  and  this  may  be  done  in  va- 
rious ways  ;  but  the  easiest,  perhaps,  is  as  follows  : 

First  scrape  off  the  shaggy  bark  round  the  body  of 
the  tree,  to  the  width  of  two  or  three  inches ;  then 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  237 

make  up  a  mixture  of  oil,  or  blubber,  with  suitable 
proportions  of  sulphur  and  Scotch  snuff;  and  with  a 
brush  lay  this  on  the  scraped  part,  forming  a  ring 
round  the  tree  an  inch  or  two  wide ;  and  no  insect  will 
ever  attempt  to  pass  this  barrier,  as  long  as  the  compo- 
sition has  any  considerable  moisture  left  in  it. 

Let  it  be  repeated  when  it  inclines  to  harden ;  though 
perhaps  this  is  not  necessary.  Let  it  be  done  early  in 
the  spring,  before  the  insect  comes  from  the  ground. 

Another  method,  which  it  is  believed  will  be  found 
equally  effectual,  though  attended  with  more  trouble, 
is  to  scrape  off  the  shaggy  bark  from  the  body  of  the 
tree ;  and  then  whitewash  that  part  well  with  lime  and 
water  Snd  a  little  sulphur  added. 

In  place  of  this,  however,  Mr.  Forsyth  directs  that 
the  body  of  the  tree  be  covered  with  a  composition  of 
old  urine,  kept  some  time  for  the  purpose,  soap-suds, 
fresh  cowdung;  and  this  he  says  will  keep  off  all  in- 
sects.    Let  it  be  laid  on  plentifully. 

Another  method,  we  have  heard  recommended  is  to 
fasten  a  strip  of  sheepskin,  with  the  wool  outwards, 
round  the  body  of  the  tree,  taking  care  that  no  place 
be  left  for  the  insect  to  creep  up  between  the  strip  and 
the  bark.  The  wool  should  be  frequently  combed  to 
keep  it  loose. 

A  streak  or  ring  of  tar  made  round  the  body  is  also 
effectual,  as  long  as  the  tar  remains  soft  ;  but,  as  it 
soon  becomes  so  hardened  on  the  exterior,  that  the  in- 
sect can  crawl  over,  it  requires  to  be  repeated  very 
frequently.  Perhaps  such  a  ring  of  tar  and  «il,  or 
blubber,  mixed  together,  would  answer  better. 

Lastly,  a  strip  of  oiled  paper  put  round  the  tree, 
with  the  lower  edge  projecting  out  considerably,  forms 
a  barrier  which  the  insect  cannot  pass.  Let  the  lower 
edge  of  the  paper  be  kept  well  oiled. 


238  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

In  regard  to  all  insects  which  are  injurious  to  trees, 
hy  climbing  them,  and  committing  depredations  upon 
them,  in  various  ways,  we  believe,  from  the  most  cor- 
rect information  we  have  been  enabled  to  obtain,  from 
various  sources,  that,  by  taking  the  earth  away  from 
the  roots  of  the  trees,  very  early  in  the  spring,  and 
destroying  whatever  may  appear  to  be  the  abode  of 
any  insects  ;  and  then  returning  the  earth  back,  mixed 
with  a  small  quantity  of  sulphur,  sprinkling  some  of 
this  upon  the  surface,  will  keep  every  insect  from  as- 
cending any  such  tree. 

The  effect  of  sulphur,  for  this  purpose,  is  very  du- 
rable. Probably  one  operation  of  this  kind  will  last 
for  several  years ;  though,  on  this  point,  we  hfive  no 
particular  information.  Other  repellants  of  insects 
may  be  found  repellants  only  for  a  time,  more  or  less 
limited  ;  but  perhaps  may  answer  the  purpose  for  one 
spring ;  such  as  quicklime,  fine  salt,  old  urine,  strong 
soap-suds,  a  strong  decoction  of  tobacco,  onions,  <fec. 

Let  either  of  the  four  last  mentioned  ingredients  be 
applied,  boiling  hot,  to  the  roots,  after  first  taking  the 
earth  away,  as  before  mentioned. 

Curculio. 

This  is  a  bug,  about  the  size  of  that  which  eats  into 
the  pea,  and  has  proved  very  troublesome  to  most  of 
the  smooth-skinned  fruits,  and  even  to  peaches,  apples, 
and  pears,  in  different  parts  of  the  country  contiguous 
to  PhUadelphia.  It  has  also  made  its  appearance  about 
Albany. 

It  ascends  the  trees  in  the  spring,  and  as  the  fruit 
advances  it  makes  a  wound  in  the  skin,  and  there  de- 
posits the  embryo  ;  from  which  a  maggot  is  first  pro- 
duced.  This  preys  upon  the  fruit  until  it  dies  and  falls 


AWD    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  239 

off;  when  the  maggot  makes  its  way  into  the  earth,  and  i 
IS  there  changed  into  a  bug,  which  is  ready  to  ascend 
the  tree  the  next  spring,  and  make  its  deposit  in  the 
fruit,  as  before. 

One  method  of  keeping  this  and  all  other  insects 
fr9m  trees,  as  practised  by  Col.  Nichols,  near  Easton, 
is  to  tie  a  small  bag  of  common  salt  round  the  tree. 
A  ring  put  round  the  tree,  of  a  mixture  of  grease,  or 
blubber  mixed  with  salt  and  some  of  the  other  ingre- 
dients before  mentioned,  would  perhaps  answer  a  better 
purpose,  and  be  attended  with  less  trouble. 

A  recipe  of  his,  which  he  says  he  has  practised  on 
peach  trees  with  advantage,  in  regard  to  their  health, 
is; — 

"  Take  away  the  dirt  from  around  the  root,  and 
where  you  find  gum  issuing  out,  there  you  will  also 
find  a  white  maggot,  which  is  carefully  to  be  taken 
away  ^  then  wash  the  body  and  roots  with  strong 
brine,  which  you  will  repeat  now  and  then  in  the 
spring  and  summer." 

We  will  mention  two  other  methods,  which  are 
said  to  be  infallible,  for  keeping  all  insects  from  trees ; 
One  is,  bore  a  hole  in  the  body  of  the  tree,  and  fill  the 
hole  with  mercurial  ointment  (unguemtum  coeruleum) 
and  cork  it  up  tight. 

The  other  is,  bore  a  hole  ii\the  north  side  of  the 
body  of  the  tree,  and  fill  it  with  spirits  of  turpentine, 
and  cork  it  up,  as  before.  Where  the  latter  article  is 
put  into  the  hole,  it  should  be  bored  slanting  down- 
wards, to  keep  this  liquid  from  running  out  before  the 
cork  can  be  put  in. 

If  these  remedies  are  efl?ectual,  and  we  have  con- 
siderable confidence  in  them,  it  must  be  owing  to  the 
essence  of  either  of  these  substances  becoming  diffused 


240  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

throughout  the  tree,  and  thus  rendering  it  noxious  to 
insects. 

Caterpillars, 

The  above  directions,  for  keeping  Canker-worms 
from  trees,  are  equally  applicable  to  these  insects. 

Grubs, 

Large  maggots  produced  from  the  eggs  of  a  spe- 
cies of  the  butterfly,  very  injurious  to  Indian  corn, 
while  young,  by  eating  the  roots.  Frequent  plough- 
ings,  manuring  the  land  with  lime,  soot,  ashes,  or  salt, 
all  tend  much  to  keep  them  out  of  the  soil. 

Top  or  spindle  worm. 

White  worms,  resembling  grubs,  found  Hn  the 
central  hole  which  is  formed  by  the  leaves  of  Indian 
corn  ;  and  they  there  eat  off  the  stem  which  forms  the 
top  of  the  plant.  They  are  mostly  to  be  found  near 
barn-yards,  and  in  rich  spots. 

They  are  discovered  by  their  excrement  appearing 
on  the  leaves.  Sprinkling 'the  corn  with  a  weak  lye 
of  wood-ashes  will  extirpate  them. 

Bhjck  Worms, 

AsH-coLOURED  worms,  with  black  stripes  on  their 
backs.  When  full  grown,  they  are  of  the  thickness 
of  a  goose-quill,  and  about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long. 
They  hide  in  the  soil  by  day,  and  commit  their  depre- 
dations by  night.  They  eat  off  young  plants  above 
ground,  and  frequently  endeavour  to  draw  them  under. 
It  is  said  that  manuring  the  ground  with  salt  will  drive 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  241 

them  from  it,  and  that  lime  and  ashes  will  also  have 
nearly  a  similar  effect. 

Red  Worms. 

These  are  slender,  about  an  inch  long,  with  a  haid 
coat,  and  pointed  head.  They  eat  off  wheat,  barley, 
and  oats,  above  the  crown  of  the  root;  and  they  also 
eat  through  turnips,  potatoes,  6z;c.  No  positive  remedy 
is  known,  unless  it  be  manuring  with  the  manures  be- 
fore mentioned,  which  are  offensive  to  all  insects. 
Summer-fallowings  are  also  recommerided,  as  depri- 
ving them  of  their  requisite  food. 

Palmer  Worms. 

About  half  an  inch  in  length,  with  many  legs,  and 
very  nimble.  They  give  to  apple-trees  the  same  ap- 
pearance that  the  canker-worm  does. 

Mr.  Dean  says,  that  great  numbers  of  them  appeared, 
in  the  year  1791,  in  Cumberland,  Massachusetts,  and 
ate  off  all  the  leaves  of  the  trees,  except  the  membrane- 
ous parts  ;  but  that  next  year  they  disappeared.  They 
let  themselves  down  from  the  trees  by  threads,  similar 
to  the  spider. 

No  remedy  known. 

Timber-worms, 

The  smaller  kind  merely  eat  into  the  sap  of  wood, 
and  turn  it  into  powder-post,  as  it  is  commonly  called. 
Felling  timber  about  the  middle  of  winter,  the  time  it 
has  least  sap  in  it,  will  obviate  this  difficulty. 

The  large  Boring-worm  takes  its  residence  chiefly 
in  pine  timber.  If  the  trees  be  scorched  in  a  light 
21 


242  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARBIER 

flame,  says  Mr.  Deane,  or  steeped  in  salt-water,  it  will 
destroy  these  worms,  or  prevent  their  entering  the 
wood. 

Hessian-fly. 

Well  known  for  its  ravages  in  wheat.  Remedy: 
Immerse  the  seed- wheat  ten  or  fifteen  seconds  in  boil- 
ing hot  water ;  cool  it  suddenly  ;  dry  it,  with  lime  or 
gypsum  sprinkled  upon  it,  and  sow  it  immediately. 
This  process  will  assist  its  growth,  in  addition  to  its 
killing  the  nits  of  the  fly,  which,  by  a  good  glass,  are 
said  to  be  disqernible  near  the  sprouts  of  the  grains 
that  are  infected.  This  remedy  stands  well  attested 
by  several  publications,  and  is  believed  to  be  effectual. 

Maggots.  ' 

Troublesome  to  the  roots  of  cabbages,  turnips,  and 
radishes.  Give  the  ground  a  previous  manuring  with 
salt,  which  it  is  believed  will  be  found  effectual.  Some 
weak  brine  applied  to  the  roots  of  the  plants,  just  afler 
a  rain,  is  also  recommended.  It  should  not  be  too 
strong,  lest  it  injure  the  growth  of  the  plants. 

Yellow -striped  bug. 

Formidable  to  the  young  plants  of  cucumber,  &c. 
In  addition  to  what  has  already  been  said,  of  the  re- 
medies for  keeping  off  these  intruders,  we  would  re- 
commend sprinkling  the  plants  with  a  little  sulphur,  or 
Scotch  snuff,  which  it  is  believed  will  be  found  equally 
efficacious. 

Tkirnip-fly. 
This  insect  eats  the  seed-leaves  of  the  young  turnip- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOB.  243 

plants,  and  thus  destroys  them.  One  remedy  is  to 
sow  the  ground  with  a  mixture  of  old  and  new  seed, 
and,  as  these  will  come  up  at  different  limes,  a  part  of 
the  one  or  the  other  will  stand  a  better  chance  of  es- 
caping. 

Sowing  a  suitable  proportion  of  tobacco  seed  with 
the  crop  will,  no  doubt,  answer  every  purpose  for  keep- 
ing off  this  insect.  But  as  common  salt  is  found  to 
be  an  excellent  manure  for  this  crop,  we  would  recom- 
mend about  three  or  four  bushels  of  this  article,  made 
fine,  with  as  many  pounds  of  sulphur,  and  perhaps  one 
or  two  of  Scotch  snuff,  well  mixed  together,  to  be  sown 
on  the  ground,  just  as  the  plants  are  coming  up ;  and 
this,  we  venture  to  say,  will  be  found  effectual  in  keep- 
ing off  these  insects. 

Garden-fiea, 

Very  destructive  to  young  cabbage  plants,  while  in 
the  seed-leaf.  Remedy:  Sow  some  onion  or  tobacco- 
seeds  with  the  seeds  of  the  plant ;  or  sprinkle  some 
sulphur  or  snuff  on  the  growing  plants.  Soapsuds 
sprinkled  over  them  is  also  good. 

These  infest  cabbages,  particularly  ;  but  are  de- 
stroyed by  the  frosts.  They  are  easily  extirpated  by 
smoke,  particularly  that  of  tobacco. 

Weavel. 

A  LITTLE  black  bug,  very  destructive  to  wheat  either 
m  barns  or  granaries.  On  thrusting  your  hand  into  a 
bin  of  wheat  infested  with  them,  considerable  warmth 


244  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

will  be  felt ;  but,  as  they  are  usually  collected  together, 
every  part  of  the  heap  or  bin  should  be  examined. 

Sulphur  snuff,  put  up  in  little  papers,  or  bags,  and 
properly  distributed  among  the  wheat,  in  the  bin,  will 
keep  them  out,  or  drive  them  out  when  they  have  got 
possession. 

Grass-hoppers, 

Prodigious  quantities  of  these  are  sometimes  gene- 
rated in  upland-mowing  grounds.  Upland  pastures  do 
not  produce  so  many,  owing  probably  to  the  feet  of  the 
cattle  destroying  many,  before  they  are  brought  forth. 
Low  wet  meadows  or  pastures  seldom  produce  many  of 
them.  The  only  known  remedy  against  them,  and  it 
is  sometimes  very  inadequate,  is  to  destroy  them  by 
raising  large  flocks  of  turkies  and  other  poultry,  which 
feed  on  them. 

Lice  on  cattle,  and  ticks  on  sheep,  may  be  added  to 
the  catalogue  of  destructive  insects. 

Where  colts  and  young  neat-cattle  become  lousy,  by 
reason  of  poor  keeping,  or  otherwise,  the  lice  are  to 
be  destroyed  by  oiling  the  creature,  or  washing  it  with 
a  decoction  of  tobacco  ;  and  they  should  have  better 
keeping,  to  prevent  a  return  of  the  lice. 

And  where  a  sheep  becomes  full  of  ticks,  which  will 
sometimes  kill  the  animal  if  not  removed,  they  may  be 
destroyed  by  a  fumigation  of  tobacco  smoke,  as  is  de- 
scribed under  sheep. 

But  the  easiest  method  is  to  part  the  wool  of  the 
animal  on  each  side  of  its  spine  from  its  head  to  its 
tail,  and  drop  in  some  Scotch  snufl*  along  in  each  open- 
ing, and  this  will  soon  free  the  sheep  of  its  vermin. 
Where  it  requires  immediate  relief,  however,  recourse 
should  be  had  to  the  method  first-mentioned. 


AND   CATTLE   DOCTOR.  245 

TO  MANAGE  A  DIARY. 

Directions  to  tlie  cow  feeder. 

Go  to  the  cow  stall  at  6  o'clock  in  the  morning,  win- 
ter and  summer ;  give  each  cow  half  a  bushel  of  the 
mangel-wurzel,  carrots,  turnips,  or  potatoes,  cut ;  at 
7  o'clock,  the  hour  the  dairy  maid  comes  to  milk 
them,  give  each  some  hay,  and  let  them  feed,  till  they 
are  milked.  If  she  refuses  hay,  give  her  something  she 
will  eat,  such  as  grain,  carrots,  &c.,  during  the  time 
she  is  milking,  as  it  is  absolutely  necessary  the  cow 
should  feed  while  milking.  As  soon  as  the  woman 
has  finished  milking  in  the  morning,  turn  the  cows  in 
the  airing  ground,  and  let  there  be  plenty  of  fresh 
water,  in  the  trough  ,•  at  9  o'clock  give  each  cow  3 
gallons  of  the  mixture,  as  follows :  to  8  gallons  of 
grain  add  4  gallons  of  bran  or  pollard ;  when  they 
have  eaten  that,  put  some  hay  into  the  cribs  ;  at  12 
o'clock  give  each  3  gallons  of  the  mixture  as  before ; 
if  any  cow  looks  for  more,  give  her  another  gallon ; 
on  the  contrary  if  she  will  not  eat  what  you  gave  her, 
take  it  out  of  the  manger,  for  never  at  one  time  let  a 
cow  have  more  than  she  will  eat  up  clean.  Mind  and 
Keep  the  mangers  clean,  that  they  do  not  sour.  At  2 
o'clock  give  each  cqw  half  a  bushel  of  carrots,  man- 
gel-wurzel, or  turnips  ;  look  the  turnips,  &c.  &c.,  over 
well,  before  giving  them  to  the  cows,  as  one  rotten  tur- 
nip will  give  a  bad  taste  to  the  milk,  and  most  likely 
spoil  a  whole  dairy  of  butter.  At  4  o'clock  put  the 
cows  into  the  stall  to  be  milked  ;  feed  them  on  hay  as 
you  did  at  milking-time  in  the  morning,  keeping  in 
21* 


246  EVERY   MAN    HIS    OWN   FABRIER 

mind  that  the  cow  whilst  milking  must  feed  on  some- 
thing. At  6  o'clock  give  each  cow  3  gallons  of  the 
mixture  as  before.  Rack  them  up  at  8  o'clock.  Twice 
in  a  week  put  into  each  cow's  feed  at  noon,  a  quart 
of  malt-dust. 

The  daily  expense  of  subsisting  each  cow  on  the 
above  feed  will  be  about  two  shillings. 

Directions  to  the  diary-maid. 

Go  to  the  cow-stall  at  7  o'clock  ;  take  with  you 
cold  water  and  a  sponge,  and  wash  each  cow's  udder 
clean  before  milking ;  dowse  the  udder  well  with  cold 
water,  winter  and  summer,  as  it  braces,  and  repels 
heat.  Keep  your  hands  and  arms  clean.  Milk  each 
cow  as  dry  as  you  can,  morning  and  evening,  and 
when  you  milk  each  cow  as  you  suppose  dry,  begin 
again  with  the  cow  you  first  milked,  and  drip  them 
each  ;  for  the  principle  reason  of  cows  failing  in  their 
milk  is  from  negligence  in  not  milking  the  cow  dry, 
particularly  at  the  time  the  calf  is  taken  from  the  cow. 
Suffer  no  one  to  milk  a  cow  but  yourself,  and  have  no 
gossiping  in  the  stall.  Every  Saturday  night  give  an 
exact  account  of  the  quantity  of  milk  each  cow  has 
given  in  the  week. 

• 
To  choose  a  milch  cow.  * 

As  to  a  choice  of  breeds  for  a  private  family,  none 
in  England,  (says  Mr.  Lawrence,)  probably  combine 
so  many  advantages  as  the  Suffolk  dun-cows.  They 
excel  both  in  quantity  and  quality  of  milk ;  they  feed 
well  after  they  become  barren  "i  they  are  small  sized, 
and  polled  or  hornless';  the  last  a  great  convenience. 
The  horns  of  cows  which  butt  and  gore  others,  should 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  247 

be  immediately  broad  tipped.  There  is  a  breed  of 
polled  Yorkshire  or  Holderness  cows,  some  of  them 
of  middling  size ;  great  milkers  and  well  adapted  to 
the  use  of  families,  where  a  great  quantity  of  milk  is 
required,  and  where  price  is  no  object,  and  food  in 
plenty.  If  richer  milk  and  a  comparison  of  the  two 
famous  breeds  be  desired,  one  of  each  may  be  selected, 
namely,  the  last  mentioned,  and  the  other  of  the  mid- 
land county,  or  long  horned  species.  Colour  is  so  far 
no  object,  that  neither  a  good  cow  nor  a  good  horse 
can  be  of  a  bad  colour ;  nevertheless,  in  an  ornamen- 
tal view,  the  sheeted  and  pied  stock  of  the  Yorkshire 
short  horns,  make  a  picturesque  figure  in  the  grounds. 
The  Alderney  cows  yield  rich  milk  upon  less  food 
than  larger  stock,  but  are  seldom  large  milkers,  and 
are  particularly  scanty  of  produce  in  the  winter  sea- 
sons. They  are,  besides,  worth  little  or  nothing  as 
barreners,  not  only  on  account  of  their  small  size,  but 
their  inaptitude  to  take  on  fat,  and  the  ordinary  quality 
of  their  beef. 

To  determine  the  economy  of  a  cow. 

The  annual  consumption  of  food  per  cow,  if  turned 
to  grass,  is  from  one  acre  to  an  acre  and  a  half  in  the 
summer,  and  from  a  ton  to  a  ton  and  a  half  of  hay  in 
the  winter.  A  cow  may  be  allowed  2  pecks  of  car- 
rots per  day.  The  grass  being  cut  and  carried,  will 
economize  it  full  one  third.  The  annual  product  of  a 
good  fair  dairy  cow,  during  several  months  after  calv- 
ing, and  either  in  summer  or  winter,  if  duly  fed  and 
kept  in  the  latter  season,  will  be  an  average  of  seven 
pounds  of  butter  per  week,  from  five  to  three  gallons 
of  milk  per  day. 

Afterwards,  a  weekly   average  of  three   or   four 


248  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

pounds  of  butter  from  barley,  half  the  quantity  of 
milk.  It  depends  on  the  constitution  of  the  cow  how 
nearly  she  may  be  milked  to  the  time  of  her  calving, 
some  giving  good  milk  until  within  a  week  or  two  of 
that  period,  others  requiring  to  be  dried  eight  or  nine 
weeks  previously.  I  have  heard  (says  Mr.  Lawrence) 
of  20  lbs.  of  butter,  and  even  22  lbs.  made  from  the 
milk  of  one  long-horned  cow  in  seven  days  :  but  I  have 
never  been  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  one  that  would 
produce  more  than  twelve  pounds  per  week,  although 
I  have  had  a  Yorkshire  cow  which  milked  seven  gal- 
lons per  day,  yet  never  made  15  lbs.  of  butter  in  one 
week.  On  the  average  three  gallons  of  good  milk 
will  make  a  pound  of  butter. 


POULTRY. 

To  manage  young  chickens. 

The  chickens  first  hatched,  are  to  be  taken  from 
the  hen,  lest  she  be  tempted  to  leave  her  task  unfin- 
ished. They  may  be  secured  in  a  basket  of  wool  or 
soft  hay,  and  kept  in  a  moderate  heat,  if  the  weather 
be  cold,  near  the  iire.  They  will  require  no  food  for 
24  hours,  should  it  be  necessary  to  keep  them  so  long 
from  the  hen.  The  whole  brood  being  hatched,  place 
the  hen  under  a  coop  abroad,  upon  a  dry  spot,  and, 
if  possible,  not  within  reach  of  another  hen,  since  the 
chickens  will  mix,  and  the  hens  are  apt  to  main  and 
destroy  those  which  do  not  belong  to  them.  Nor 
should  they  be  placed  near  young  fowls,  which  are 
likely  to  crush  them,  bemg  always  eager  for  their 
small  meat. 

The  first  food  should  be  split  grits,  aflerwards  tail 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  249 

wheat,  all  watery  food,  soaked  bread,  or  potatoes,  being 
improper.  Eggs  boiled  hard,  or  curd  chopped  small, 
is  very  suitable  for  first  food. 

Their  water  should  be  pure  and  oflen  renewed, 
and  there  are  pans  made  in  such  forms,  that  the  chick- 
ens may  drink  without  getting  into  the  water,  which, 
by  wetting  their  feet  and  feathers,  numbs  and  injures 
them ;  a  basin  in  the  middle  of  a  pan  of  water,  will 
answer  the  end  ;  the  water  running  round  it.  There 
is  no  necessity  for  cooping  the  brood  beyond  two  or 
three  days;  but  they  may  be  confined  as  occasion  re- 
quires, or  suffered  to  range,  as  they  are  much  bene- 
fitted by  the  foraging  of  the  hen.  They  should  not 
be  let  out  too  early  in  the  morning,  whilst  the  dew  lies 
upon  the  ground,  nor  be  suffered  to  range  over  wet 
grass,  which  is  a  common  and  fatal  cause  of  disease 
in  fowls.  Another  caution  requisite  is  to  guard  them 
against  unfavourable  changes  of  the  weather,  particu- 
larly if  rainy.  Nearly  all  the  diseases  of  fowls  arise 
from  cold  moisture. 

For  the  period  of  the  chickens  quitting  the  hen,  there 
is  no  general  rule ;  when  she  begins  to  roost,  if  suffi- 
ciently forward,  they  will  follow  her;  if  otherwise, 
they  should  be  secured  in  a  proper  place,  till  the  time 
arrives  when  they  are  to  associate  with  the  other  young 
poultry,  since  the  larger  are  sure  to  overrun  and  drive 
from  their  food  the  younger  broods. 

To  fatten  poultry. 

An  experiment  has  lately  been  tried  of  feeding 
geese  with  turnips  cut  in  small  pieces  like  dice,  but 
less  in  size,  and  put  into  a  trough  of  water ;  with  this 
food  alone,  the  effect  was  that  6  geese,  each  when  leart 


250  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

weighing  only  9  lbs.,  actually  gained  20  pounds  each 
in  about  3  weeks  fattening. 

Malt  is  an  excellent  food  for  geese  and  turkeys, 
grains  are  preferred  for  the  sake  of  economy,  unless 
for  immediate  and  rapid  fattening ;  the  grains  should 
be  boiled  afresh. 

Other  cheap  articles  for  fattening  are  oatmeal  and 
treacle ;  barley-meal  and  milk  ;  boiled  oats  and  ground 
malt. 

Corn  before  being  given  to  fowls  should  always  be 
crushed  and  soaked  in  water.  The  food  will  thus  go 
further,  and  it  will  help  digestion.  Hens  fed  thus  have 
been  known  to  lay  during  the  whole  of  the  winter 
months. 

Cure  of  dropsy  in  the  crops  of  young  turkeys. 

This  kind  of  dropsy  is  announced  by  a  dull  look, 
paleness  of  the  head,  loss  of  appetite,  and  aversion  to 
food.  The  birds  allow  themselves  to  be  approached 
and  seized  with  facility,  and  they  are  without  strength. 
Very  soon  a  slight  swelling  of  the  crop  is  added  to 
these  symptoms,  which,  in  ten  days,  becomes  very 
considerable.  I  have  taken  nearly  a  pint  of  water 
from  one.  By  pressing  upon  the  crop  of  some  of 
them,  a  certain  quantity  of  matter  is  discharged  by 
the  bill,  but  never  enough  to  entirely  ease  the  crop. 
All  these  symptoms  increase,  and  the  bird  dies  at  the 
end  of  15.  or  18  days'  illness. 

I  sought  after  the  cause  of  this  disorder,  and  it  was 
easy  to  find  that  it  was  occasioned  by  the  stagnant 
water  of  which  these  animals  drunk  ;  in  the  course  of 
the  year  the  heat  had  been  great,  and  there  was  little 
rain.  The  heat  had  hatched  a  vast  swarm  of  small 
red  worms,  resembling  ascarides.     It  is  quite  certain 


251 

that  these  insects  must  have  been  swallowed  by  the 
turkeys,  and  from  this  cause,  and  the  bad  quality  of 
the  water  which  they  had  drunk,  a  great  degree  of  in- 
flammation in  the  crop  would  ensue,  with  a  stoppage 
of  the  passage  which  conducts  to  the  gizzard.  I  divi- 
ded the  turkeys  into  three  classes  ;  for  those  who  were 
still  sound,  I  ordered  grain  and  good  water ;  with  all 
that  were  diseased  I  practised  the  operation  of  tapping 
with  a  lancet,  in  the  lowest  part  of  the  crop,  I  in- 
jected at  the  opening,  by  means  of  a  small  syringe^ 
a  slight  decoction  of  Jesuits'  bark,  mixed  with  a  little 
brandy,  which  was  repeated  twice  in  the  course  of  the 
day.  Next  day  the  wound  was  better  marked.  I  made 
again  the  same  injection,  and  two  hours  after,  I  forced 
them  to  eat  a  little  of  the  yolk  of  an  egg,  mixed  with 
some  crumbs  of  bread.  At  the  end  of  three  days,  the 
wound  in  the  crop  was  closed,  which  I  might  have  pre- 
vented, but  finding  a  natural  opening  in  the  bill,  I  made 
them  take,  during  eight  days,  in  their  drink,  the  same 
substances  which  had  been  injected  ;  and  they  were, 
by  degrees,  put  upon  their  usual  diet.  I  need  not  add, 
that  clear  water  was  given  them  instead  of  that  of  the 
standing  pools.  Ten  of  these  animals  had  died  before 
my  arrival ;  two  perished  during  the  treatment,  and 
the  rest  of  the  flock,  which  might  be  about  forty,  either 
escaped  the  disease  or  were  cured. 


GRAFTING. 

Mr.  Forsyth  describes  several  methods  of  grafting : 

1.  Grafting  in  the  rind,  which  is  proper  only  for 
large  trees. 


252  EVEIWr    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

2.  Cleft  grafting,  which  answers  well  on  small 
stock  or  limbs,  and  has  been  mostly  practised  in  this 
country. 

3.  Whip-grafting,  or  tongue-grafting,  which  is  also 
proper  for  small  stocks  only ;  and,  as  Forsyth  says, 
is  the  most  effectual  of  any,  and  the  most  in  use  in 
Great  Britain. 

4.  Inarching,  or  grafting  by  approach.  This  is 
done  where  the  stock  to  be  grafted  on,  and  the  tree 
from  which  the  graft  is  taken,  stand  so  near  together 
that  they  may  be  joined. 

Forsyth  says,  that  grafts,  or  scions,  should  be  cut 
off  from  the  trees  before  the  buds  begin  to  swell ;  that 
they  should  be  laid  with  the  cut  end  downwards,  and 
buried  half  their  length  in  earth,  having  the  tops  cov- 
ered with  litter,  to  prevent  their  drying  too  much  ;  that 
they  should  be  all  of  the  growth  of  the  former  year ; 
that  they  should  always  be  taken  from  healthy,  fruitful 
trees ;  for,  if  taken  from  sickly  ones,  the  grafts  often 
partake  of  the  distemper ;  that,  if  taken  from  young 
luxuriant  trees,  they  may  produce  luxuriant  shoots  ; 
but  will  not  be  so  productive,  as  those  taken  from  fruit- 
ful trees ;  that  those  which  are  taken  from  lateral,  or 
horizontal  branches  are  to  be  preferred  to  those  of  the 
strong  and  perpendicular  shoot ;  and  that  none  should 
be  taken  from  the  sprouts  of  trees. 

Mr.  Forsyth  prefers  the  whip-grafting,  for  common 
cases ;  but,  for  these,  Mr.  Deane  prefers  the  cleft- 
grafting.  This,  he  says,  is  most  commonly  practised 
in  this  country,  and  is  attended  wdth  success.  It  is 
done  on  the  stocks  in  the  nursery,  or  on  the  small 
limbs  of  trees.  The  proper  season  for  it  is  just  before 
the  leaves  begin  to  open.  The  head  of  the  stock  must 
be  cut  off  sloping,  and  a  slit  made  sloping  the  opposite 
way,  deep  enough  to  recieve  the  scion,  which  should 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  253 

be  cut  like  a  wedge,  with  the  outside  thicker  than  the 
inner. 

The  rind  of  the  scion  must  exactly  join  the  rind 
of  the  stock.  The  slit  should  be  opened  by  a  wedge 
of  hard  wood ;  the  scion  should  then  be  gently  put  in 
its  place  and  the  stock  closed.  After  this,  the  whole 
must  be  daubed  round  closely  with  a  mortar  made  of 
a  mixture  of  loom  and  fresh  horse-dung,  so  as  com- 
pletely to  exclude  the  access  of  air ;  and  this  mortar 
must  be  surrounded  with  a  winding  of  tow,  or  old 
cloths,  to  prevent  the  rains  from  washing  it  away. 
The  scion  should  be  covered  nearly  to  the  top  with 
this  mortar ;  and  it  should  also  extend  two  or  three 
inches  downwards  round  the  stock. 

In  place  of  this  mortar,  Forsyth  recommends  a 
plaster  made  of  pitch,  turpentine,  and  beeswax,  which 
is  in  like  manner  to  be  daubed  closely  round  so  as  to 
exclude  the  external  air.  The  mortar,  however,  if 
well  made,  and  well  applied,  will  answer  very  well. 
It  should  be  composed  of  fine  loam,  not  clay ;  because 
clay  will  contract  and  crack  open,  when  dried. 

Cleft-grafting  may  be  successfully  performed  on 
trees,  where  the  fibre  of  the  outer  bark  runs  round  ; 
such  as  the  peach,  plumb,  cherry,  &c.,  by  first  cut- 
ting through  that  bark,  with  a  knife,  at  the  place 
where  the  cleft  is  to  be  made,  and  in  the  same  direc- 
tion it  may  be  expected  to  run  ;  when  the  rest  of  the 
operation  may  be  as  easily  performed  as  on  other 
trees. 

Whip-grafting  is  performed  by  cutting  off  the  head 
of  the  stock  sloping;  then  making  a  notch  in  the  slope, 
from  the  upper  part  downward,  a  little  more  than 
half  an  inch  deep,  to  receive  the  scion,  which  must  be 
cut  with  a  slope  upward,  and  a  slit  made  in  this  like 
a  tongue,  which  is  to  be  inserted  into  a  slit  made  in  a 
22 


254  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OAVN    FARBIER 

slope  of  the  stock  ;  and  the  scion  is  then  set  in,  so  that 
the  rinds  of  each  join  exactly  together.  The  scion  is 
then  fastened  by  a  ligature  to  keep  it  steady,  and  then 
surrounded  with  mortar,  or  the  plaster,  as  before. 

Grafting  in  the  rind  is  performed  by  cutting  off  the 
stock  square ;  slitting  down  the  bark  a  small  distance, 
and  raising  it  up,  so  that  the  end  of  the  scion  may  be 
inserted  between  it  and  the  wood :  the  scion  is  made 
with  a  shoulder,  cut  in  about  half  its  thickness,  and 
the  other  half  is  sloped  off  gradually,  so  as  to  give  it 
the  form  of  a  wedge ;  the  cut  side  being  flat  and  the 
bark-side  being  untouched.  This  wedge  or  tongue  is 
inserted  under  the  bark,  with  the  shoulder  fitted  to  the 
stock  ;  the  raised  bark  is  then  pressed  close  and  bound 
round,  and  the  plaster  is  applied,  as  before  mentioned. 
It  is  usual,  in  this  case,  to  insert  three  or  four  scions 
in  one  stock. 

Mr.  Preston,  of  Pennsylvania,  says  he  has  grafted 
scions  which  came  from  Holland,  which  were  appa- 
rently dried,  and  they  grew  ;  but  that  he  failed  in  other 
instances,  where  the  bark  of  the  scions  appeared  to 
have  become  somewhat  rotten. 

He  was  also  successful  in  grafting  scions  of  the 
appletree,  as  late  as  the  20th  of  June,  when  the  leaves 
of  the  trees  were  full  grown. 

Management  of  Bees. 

Swarming  depends  on  the  increase  of  bees,  and  a 
queen  being  ready  to  lead  them.  Their  breeding 
begins  sooner  or  later  according  to  the  forwardness 
of  the  spring,  the  fruitfulness  of  the  queen,  and  the 
populousness  of  the  hive.  When  bees  carry  in  farina 
or  pellets  on  their  thighs,  it  denotes  they  have  com- 
menced breeding,  which  may  be  as  early  as  February, 


ft 

AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  255 

and  not  finish  till  October  ;  and  when  their  numbers 
are  much  increased  they  show  indication  of  swarming, 
by  their  clustering  in  great  quantities  below  the  rest- 
ing board. 

They  never  rise  but  on  a  fair  day,  and  sometimes 
will  settle,  and  for  some  cause  return  to  the  stock, 
probably  for  want  of  a  queen  being  with  them.  Some 
hives  will  cast  three  times,  but  mostly  only  twice.  The 
second  cast  may  be  expected  within  three  or  four  days, 
and  never  later  than  ten  days  after  the  first.  Should 
a  stock  overswarm  itself  it  will  perish,  unless  strength- 
ened ;  this  may  be  ascertained  by  observing  the 
quantity  of  bees  afterwards  seen  to  enter.  It  is  ne- 
cessary in  the  swarming  season  from  April  to  July, 
particularly  in  May  and  June,  to  observe  the  hives 
on  a  fine  day  ;  in  general  the  bees  issue  forth  about 
noon — from  nine  to  two  o'clock  or  about  three  in  the 
afternoon. 

/ 
To  hive  hees. 

Bee  keepers  should  have  spare  hives  by  them,  pre- 
pared to  hive  the  bees  as  soon  as  they  are  settled :  for 
should  the  sun  shine  hot  on  the  swarm  it  may  take 
another  flight  and  may  possibly  be  lost  entirely.  The 
manner  of  hiving  them  must  be  regulated  by  the  na- 
ture of  the  place  on  which  they  settle.  The  custom 
of  preparing  hives  varies ;  a  clean  new  hive  only  re- 
quires the  loose  straw  to  be  rubbed  off  with  a  cloth ; 
if  any  dressing  be  used,  fennel  dipped  in  ale  and  sugar 
will  best  answer  the  purpose.  Have  ready  a  cloth 
whereon  to  place  the  hive,  and  a  wedge  to  raise  it ;  if 
the  swarm  should  settle  on  a  branch,  shake  the  best 
part  of  it  into  the  hive,  place  it  on  the  cloth  on  the 
ground,  and  continue  to  disturb  the  swarm  where  it 


256  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

settled,  and  the  hive  being  left  underneath,  they  will 
all  go  in ;  or  cut  the  branch  off,  and  gently  place  it  in 
the  hive.  Should  the  bees  settle  on  the  ground,  place 
the  hive  over  them ;  and  though  bees  are  not  apt  to 
sting  at  this  time,  the  hiving  should  be  performed 
quietly.  Avoid  talking  and  breathing  on  them,  and 
if  any  of  them  are  crushed,  they  will  resent  it;  there- 
fore, to  prevent  abcident,  invariably  use  the  bee  dress, 
which  will  give  confidence.  All  swarms  are  to  be 
sheltered  and  left  near  to  where  they  settle  till  the 
evening  ;  thence  to  be  removed  very  gently  to  the  ap- 
pointed place. 

To  unite  swarms^  and  reinforce  stocks. 

It  is  essential  when  there  are  weak  swarms  of  bees, 
that  they  should  be  strengthened.  The  idea,  so  preva- 
lent, of  the  greatest  number  of  hives  producing  the 
most  honey  and  wax,  is  erroneous  ;  for  the  great  part 
of  the  bees  are  necessarily  employed  in  rearing  the 
young,  and  therefore  the  number  of  those  who  are 
occupied  in  collecting  honey  is  not  near  so  great  as 
has  been  imagined  ;  for  every  swarm,  the  least  as  well 
as  the  greatest,  is  provided  with  a  queen,  equal  in 
fecundity  to  the  queen  of  the  large  stock,  and  as  the 
brood  she  brings  continually  demands  the  labour  and 
attendance  of  nearly  half  the  bees,  this  circumstance 
renders  the  other  moiety,  from  the  smallness  of  their 
number,  unable  to  accumulate  a  large  quantity  of  ho- 
ney in  the  short  time  it  mostly  abounds,  and  therefore 
honey  cannot  be  obtained  in  glass  hives  or  otherwise, 
but  from  a  strongly-peopled  hive. 

Hive  the  swarms  or  casts  in  the  usual  way,  and  at 
about  eight  o'clock  the  same  evening  spread  a  cloth 
on  the  ground,  near  to  the  hive  required  to  be  rein- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOH.  257 

forced ;  bring  the  new  swarm,  and  strike  it  down 
rather  hard,  flat  on  the  ground.  The  bees  will  then 
fall  in  a  cluster  ;  quickly  place  over  them  the  stock  to 
be  reinforced  ;  in  ten  minutes  they  will  have  united 
and  become  as  one  family,  to  be  removed  ^the  same 
evening  to  its  former  situation. 

Or,  each  cast  or  swarm  may  be  hived  separately. 
In  the  evening,  turn  the  crown  of  the  hive  into  a  pail, 
and  set  the  other  hive  exactly  over  it ;  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  bees  from  the  bottom  hive  will  have  ascended. 

The  system  of  uniting,  so  very  important,  is  but 
little  practiced,  and  has  been  overlooked  by  many 
cultivators ;  but  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  have  the 
hives  well  peopled  and  completely  sheltered  from  wet, 
which  are  the  principal  and  main  objects  to  be  parti- 
cularly attended  to  in  the  art  of  bee  keeping ;  and  the 
advantages  of  uniting  swarms  will  be  found  particu- 
larly beneficial  in  working  the  glasses  with  the  newly 
invented  double-topped  hives. 

To  feed  bees. 

With  the  aid  of  feeding  it  is  perfectly  easy  to  bring 
any  hive  of  bees  through  the  winter  ;  but  to  ensure  the 
success  of  a  very  light  stock,  it  is  essential  to  keep  it 
always  warm  and  dry.  Feeding  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary when  more  honey  has  been  taken  than  the  hive 
can  afford,  by  means  of  small  hives  or  glasses.  Such 
stocks  as  are  intended  to  be  kept  through  the  winter 
should  weigh  twenty  pounds  or  upwards,  at  the  end  of 
September,  but  casts  and  late  swarms  seldom  attain 
this  weight,  unless  two  or  more  should  have  been 
united.  The  composition  for  feeding  consists  of  moist 
sugar  and  new  beer,  the  proportion  of  one  pound  of 
sugar  to  a  pint  of  beer,  simmered  to  the  consistency 
22* 


258  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

of  treacle  :  to  be  inserted  into  the  hives,  by  means  of 
small  troughs,  at  night,  and  removed  the  next  morning 
early.  Should  a  hive  be  very  poor  and  weak,  it  is 
better  to  feed  in  larger  quantities  each  time. 

To  manage  honey. 

To  judge  of  the  best  honey,  it  should  bo  of  a  bright 
pale  colour,  thick,  and  a  little  aromatic.  To  obtain  it 
from  the  combs  in  its  pure  state,  it  must  be  left  to  run 
from  them  without  pressing.  The  colour  shows 
whether  it  is  fine  or  inferior.  If  wanted  to  press  some 
in  the  comb,  choose  the  fairest  and  such  as  have  not 
been  broken ;  wrap  each  comb  in  white  paper,  such  as 
lines  the  blue  cover  of  loaf  sugar.  Set  it  edgeways 
as  it  stood  in  the  hive,  and  it  may  be  preserved  many 
months.  The  combs  meant  to  be  drained,  must  be 
cut  in  slices.  Lay  them  on  a  hair-search,  supported 
by  a  rack  over  the  jar,  in  which  the  honey  is  to  re- 
main :  for  the  less  it  is  stirred  after  draining,  it  keeps 
the  better.  Fill  the  jar  to  the  brim,  as  a  little  scum 
must  be  taken  off  when  it  has  settled.  A  bladder  well 
washed  in  lukewarm  water,  ought  to  be  laid  over  the 
double  fold  of  white  paper  with  which  it  is  covered. 

To  take  the  honey  without  destroying  the  bees. 

The  following  easy  method  of  taking  the  honey 
without  destroying  the  bees,  is  generally  practiced  in 
France.  In  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  when  the  bees 
are  quietly  lodged,  approach  the  hive,  and  turn  it 
gently  over.  Having  steadily  placed  it  in  a  small  pit, " 
previously  dug  to  receive  it,  with  its  bottom  upwards, 
cover  it  with  a  clean  new  hive,  which  has  been  pro- 
perly prepared,  with  a  few  sticks  across  the  inside  of 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  259 

it,  and  rubbed  with  aromatic  herbs.  Having  carefully 
adjusted  the  mouth  of  each  hive  to  the  other,  so  that 
no  aperture  remains  between  them,  take  a  small  stick, 
and  beat  gently  round  the  sides  of  the  lower  hive  for 
about  ten  minutes,  or  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  in  which 
time  the  bees  will  leave  their  cells  in  the  lower  hive, 
ascend,  and  adhere  to  the  upper  one.  Then  gently 
lift  the  new  hive,  with  all  its  little  tenants,  and  place 
it  on  the  stand  from  which  the  other  hive  was  taken. 
This  should  be  done  some  time  in  the  week  preceding 
midsummers'  day,  that  the  bees  may  have  time,  before 
the  summer  flowers  are  faded,  to  lay  in  a  new  stock 
of  honey,  which  they  will  not  fail  to  do  for  their  sub- 
sistence through  the  winter. 

To  manage  bees  generally. 

The  best  situation  for  bees  is  to  the  north,  with  a 
range  of  hills  wooded  on  the  summit,  and  toward  the 
base,  enriched  with  heather,  skirted  to  the  east  with  a 
stream  from  the  rocks.  To  confine  this  rivulet,  the 
bee-master  should  sow  the  sandy  beach  with  the  seed 
of  furze,  and  cover  it  with  a  light  surface  of  earth. 
The  furze  would  soon  vegetate;  and  blooming,  in  the 
course  of  three  years,  overpay  his  labour,  by  providing 
the  bees  with  pasture  on  soil  otherwise  barren,  and  the 
margin  of  the  brook  would  gradually  rise  to  restrain 
its  encroachment  on  fertile  lands.  Suppose  a  white 
clover  field  to  the  south  of  the  hills,  and  south  from 
the  field  a  large  garden,  where  hardy  winter  greens 
have  been  allowed  to  flower,  as  early  food  for  the 
bees.  White  mustard  should  also  be  sown  very  early 
in  patches  near  the  hive ;  but  not  nearer  than  one 
yard.  A  few  dwarf  flowers  may  come  within  two 
feet,  but  tall  grown  ones  would  assist  insects  to  get 


260  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

up.  To  the  west,  it  would  be  desirable  to  have  a 
shrubbery,  a  wood,  a  broomy  common,  or  heather 
moor. 

The  stations  for  the  hives  must  be  six  yards 
asunder,  and  never  nearer  than  three  yards.  The 
board  on  which  they  are  placed  ought  to  be  of  one 
piece;  or  if  joined,  the  under  side  of  the  joining  should 
be  lined  with  a  thinner  board  fixed  closely  with  wooden 
pins.  The  edges  of  this  rounded  standard  should  pro- 
ject four  inches  all  round  from  the  hive.  Place  it  on 
three  wooden  pillars  sixteen  inches  long,  ten  inches 
above  the  ground,  but  six  inches  of  its  length  should 
be  firmly  thrust  into  the  earth,  in  all  its  length  to  be 
sixteen  inches.  The  pillar  in  front  should  be  an  inch 
shorter  than  the  other  two,  and  the  three  pillars  should 
be  within  twelve  or  fourteen  inches  of  the  outer  edge 
of  the  board,  to  exclude  rats  and  mice.  For  the  same 
reason  no  tall  growing  plant,  no  wall,  nor  any  means 
for  ascent  should  be  within  three  or  four  feet  of  the 
hive.  In  fine  weather,  the  entrance  to  the  hive  must 
be  four  inches  long,  and  an  inch  and  a  half  in  depth. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  fine  season,  when  the  bees 
can  get  food,  or  have  stores  remaining,  the  bee-master 
has  nothing  to  do  but  to  keep  the  ground  about  the 
hive  clear  from  weeds,  and  from  whatever  might  ena- 
ble vermin  to  climb  there.  Yet  as  a  thriving  stock 
inclines  very  soon  to  swarm,  the  hives  must  be  fre- 
quently looked  after,  from  eight  in  the  morning  till 
five  in  the  afternoon.  The  symptoms  are  generally 
thus  :  The  little  city  seems  crowded. with  inhabitants. — 
They  are  continually  in  motion  during  the  day  ;  and 
after  working  time,  they  make  loud  noises.  The 
drones  may  be  seen  flying  about  in  the  heat  of  the 
day,  and  the  working  bees  go  with  a  reeling  motion 
and  busy  hum.     When  the  bees  come  regularly  out 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  261 

of  the  hives,*  let  no  noise,  no  interruption  incommode 
them  ;  but  if  they  fly  along,  as  if  they  were  unsettled, 
some  tinkling  noise  or  the  loud  report  of  a  gun,  will 
make  the  fugitives  repair  to  the  nearest  lodgings.  If 
there  is  an  empty  hive  with  combs  and  some  honey 
in  it,  they  will  readily  go  there.  If  a  new  hive  is 
used,  remember  to  smooth  it  well  within,  and  singe. 
ofT  loose  straws.  Perpendicular  sticks  should  never 
be  employed.  Four  cross  sticks  at  equal  distances 
will  support  the  combs.  Old  hives  do  very  well  for 
late  swarms  that  are  not  to  be  preserved  through  the 
winter  ;  but  box  hives  are  best  for  them,  as  the  bees 
work  fastest  there.  They  are  not,  however,  fit  for 
being  kept  through  the  cold  seasons. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  great  haste  in  forcing  a 
swarm  into  the  hive  may  disperse  them.  Give  them 
time  to  settle  undisturbed,  though  keep  a  steady  eye 
on  their  motions  :  but  whenever  they  gather  into  a 
cluster,  lose  no  time  in  placing  the  hive  over  them. 
If  the  swarm  rest  on  any  thing  that  can  be  brought  to 
the  ground,  spread  a  clean  linen  cloth  :  lay  two  sticks 
on  it,  two  feet  asunder  ;  lay  the  body  on  which  the 
swarm  have  fixed,  gently  on  the  sticks ;  covering  it 
with  the  hive  by  a  motion  the  least  perceptible ;  and 
taking  care  that  the  edges  of  the  hive  rests  upon  the 
sticks.  Cover  hive  and  all  with  a  cloth;  for  the  sun 
might  allure  the  bees  to  rise  again.  When  they  have 
gone  into  the  hive,  cover  it  with  its  own  board,  and 
carry  it  cautiously  to  its  station.  Bees  are  apt  to 
leave  their  hive  even  after  they  begin  to  work,  so  they 
must  be  watched  till  evening,  and  throughout  the 
ensuing  day.  Whenever  they  are  sure  to  remain,  fix 
the  hive  to  its  board  with  a  little  lime  round  the  edges ; 
and  crown  it  with  green  sods  to  keep  out  too  great 
heat  or  rain. 


263  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

If  a  hive  divides  into  two  swarms,  it  isi  a  sign  that 
each  swarnn  has  a  queen.  Put  each  into  old  hives  or 
boxes  ;  but  they  must  be  kept  separate.  If  a  cluster 
of  bees  about  the  size  of  a  small  plum  are  seen  to- 
gether, the  queen  will  generally  be  found  there. 
Separate  them,  and  with  a  drinking  glass  turned  down, 
you  may  seize  the  queen.  Put  her,  and  a  score  or 
two  of  her  subjects  into  a  box  full  of  holes,  large 
enough  to  admit  air,  and  yet  not  to  allow  the  bees  to 
escape.  Feed  her  with  honey  combs,  and  keep  her  in 
reserve  in  case  of  the  death  of  a  queen  in  one  of  the 
hives.  When  a  hive  ceases  to  work,  it  is  a  sure  sign 
the  queen  is  no  more.  Then  the  bee-master  may  wait 
an  hour  and  not  see  a  loaded  bee  enter  the  habitation. 
But  if  the  spare  queen  be  taken  late  in  the  evening, 
wetting  her  wings  to  prevent  her  escape,  and  intro- 
duce her  to  the  desponding  society,  they  will  receive 
her  gladly,  and  begin  to  work. 

If  a  hive  fights  among  themselves,  be.  assured  there 
are  two  queens  :  and  they  will  destroy  each  other,  if 
one  is  not  taken  away  to  keep. 

When  bees  are  to  swarm  a  second,  or  more  times, 
they  do  not  come  out  in  clusters  :  but  they  make  a 
sound  called  bellings,  which  may  be  heard  ;  ceasing 
for  a  little,  and  renewed  again  and  again.  If  there 
are  different  tones,  it  is  certain  there  are  several  young 
queens  in  the  hive.  It  is  only  by  putting  the  ear  close 
o  it,  that  the  sound  can  be  heard  distinctly. 


PRESERVING  MEATS,  &c. 

If  meat  be  intended  merely  for  family  use,  and   to 
be  used  in  two  or  three  months,  the  following  pickle 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  263 

deserves  to  be  recommended : — Water,  one  gallon  ; 
salt,  nineteen  ounces  ;  saltpetre,  one  ounce  and  a  half; 
sugar,  half  pound. 

The  Russians  are  fond  of  the  flavour  of  juniper 
berries,  and  add  a  pound  of  bruised  juniper  to  a  gallon 
of  pickle. 

A  tea-spoonful  or  two  of  cayenne  pepper  to  the 
gallon,  greatly  increases  the  preserving  power  of  the 
pickle. 

To  cure  gammons,  first  sprinkle  them  as  soon  as 
they  are  cut  and  trimmed,  with  a  little  (Liverpool) 
salt.  Let  them  lay  together  for  twelve  hours  :  take 
them  out  of  the  tub,  drain  and  wipe  them  ;  then  rub 
them  separately  with  a  mixture  of  twelve  parts  of 
common  salt  and  one  part  saltpetre,  well  dried  and 
then  ground  fine.  Rub  in  this  mixture  well ;  lay 
them  in  the  pickling  tub,  and  the  next  day  rub  them 
again  with  a  similar  mixture.  The  day  after  fill  up 
the  tub  with  a  brine  made  in  the  proportion  of  18  oz. 
salt,  1  lb.  molasses,  and  1  oz.  saltpetre,  to  the  gallon 
of  water.  In  this  pickle  ^ey  may  stay  for  a  fort- 
night. Then  take  them  out,  drain,  wipe  and  smoke 
them. 

If  they  are  suffered  to  make  their  own  brine  by 
means  of  dry  salt  and  saltpetre  entirely,  they  will  loose 
too  much  of  the  juices  of  the  meat,  and  becomes  hard« 
and  dry. 

I  have  successfully  cured  beef  in  summer  thus : 

I  killed  an  ox  in  the  middle  of  August,  at  nine  o'clock 
in  the  evening ;  it  was  cut  up  at  3  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  pieces  were  quickly  rubbed  with  a  mixture 
of  ten  parts  of  salt,  and  one  part  of  saltpetre,  and 
put  into  a  barrel.  In  the  mean  time  a  brine  composed 
of  1^  lbs.  of  salt,  2  oz.  of  saltpetre,  and  half  an 
ounce  of  common  pepper,  to  the  gallon  of  water,  was 


264  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARBIER 

ready  over  the  fire,  and  when  the  beef  was  all  packed 
in  the  barrel,  it  was  poured  on  boiling  hot.  This  pre 
vented  and  destroyed  all  fly-blows.  In  a  week,  the 
pieces  were  taken  out,  drained  and  wiped ;  the  pickle 
was  boiled  over  again,  scummed,  and  again  poured 
boiling  hot  on  the  meat  when  re-packed.  The  process 
answered  the  purpose  perfectly. 

A  method  of  preserving  cream. 

Take  twelve  ounces  of  white  sugar,  and  as  many 
grains  of  finely  powdered  magnesia,  and  dissolve  them 
in  a  small  quantity  of  water,  over  a  moderate  fire. 
After  the  solution  has  taken  place,  12  oz.  of  new 
cream  should  be  immediately  added,  and  the  whole 
uniformly  mixed  while  hot.  Let  it  then  gradually 
cool,  and  pour  it  into  a  bottle,  which  must  be  carefully 
corked.  If  kept  in  a  cool  place,  and  not  exposed  to 
the  air,  it  may  be  preserved  in  a  sweet  state  for  several 
weeks,  and  even  months. 

To  prevent  bottled  cider  from  bursting. 

Make  a  strong  frame  of  plank,  say,  1^  or  2  inches 
thick  and  nine  deep,  by  locking  it  together  edge-wise, 
f  lace  it  in  the  cellar,  and  sit  the  bottles  of  cider  in  it, 
(after  being  well  corked)  as  close  as  possible,  until  it 
is  entirely  filled,  except  the  space  for  one  bottle,  which 
must  be  left;  to  commence  taking  them  from,  when 
wanted  for  use.  Then  put  clean  sand  on  them,  and 
settle  it  between  the  bottles,  by  throwing  on  alternately 
water  and  sand,  until  the  sand  is  well  settled  halfway 
up  the  neck  of  the  bottles.  In  that  situation  the  bot- 
tles will  be  preserved,  filled  with  the  very  best  cider 
for  any  length  of  time. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  265 

By  placing  ice  on  the  sand  over  the  quantity  of 
bottles  proposed  to  be  used  a  day,  it  will  be  as  if  put 
into  ice  water. 

To  prevent  Skippers  in  Bacon, 

Take  of  red  pepper  finely  powdered  one  table 
spoonful  for  every  joint  of  meat,  and  rub  it  on  the 
meat  with  the  salt,  when  it  is  first  cut  up.  It  has 
been  often  tried,  and  was  never  known  to  fail  in  pro- 
ducing the  above  effect. 

Extirpating  Rats  and  Mice. 

Lay  bird  lime  in  their  haunts ;  for  though  they  are 
nasty  enough  in  other  respects,  yet  being  very  curious 
of  their  fur,  if  it  is  but  daubed  with  this  stuff,  it  is  so 
troublesome  to  them,  that  they  will  even  scratch  their 
skins  from  off  their  own  backs  to  get  it  off;  and  will 
never  abide  in  the  place  where  they  have  suffered  in 
this  manner. 

To  make  a  Pickle  or  Brine  for  Beef, 

To  eight  gallons  of  water  add  half  a  pound  of  salt- 
petre, one  pound  of  brown  sugar,  and  one  quart  of 
molasses,  with  as  much  fine  salt  as  will  make  it  float 
an  egg  light,  taking  care  that  the  salt  dissolves  lest  it 
be  too  strong — skim  it  well  and  it  is  fit  for  use. 

Your  beef  or  tongues  should  be  put  in  cold  water 
and  remain  24  hours,  then  drained  for  an  hour  or  two, 
previous  to  being  put  into  the  pickle. 

Beef  tongues,  veal,  or  mutton  for  smoking  should 
not  remain  longer  in  pickle  than  ten  days. 
23 


266  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

This  pickle  need  not  be  boiled,  (which  operation 
tends  to  harden  the  meat)  but  will  remain  perfectly 
sweet  till  spring,  when,  after  your  beef  is  used  or  taken 
out,  it  will  be  found  the  very  best  in  which  to  cure 
shad,  giving  them  a  delicious  flavour,  and  fine  red  co- 
lour throughout. 

This  receipt  is  offered  with  confidence  to  the  farmer, 
as  one  of  the  very  best  ever  adopted.  And  it  is  the 
opinion  of  the  writer,  will  answer  fully  as  well  for 
pork,  with  the  exception  that  the  latter  should  not  be 
soaked  in  water. 

Manner  of  preserving  Eggs  perfectly  fresh  for  twelve 
Tuonths, 

Having  provided  small  casks  like  oyster  barrels, 
fill  them  with  fresh  laid  eggs,  then  pour  into  each  cask, 
the  lumps  being  taken  out,  as  much  cold  thick  lime 
water  as  will  fill  up  all  the  void  space  between  the 
eggs,  likewise  completely  cover  them.  The  thicker 
the  lime  water  is  the  better,  provided  it  will  fill  up  all 
the  interstices,  and  be  liquid  on  the  top  of  the  cask. 
This  done  lay  on  the  head  of  the  cask  lightly.  No 
farther  care  is  necessary,  than  merely  to  prevent  the 
lime  from  growing  too  hard,  by  adding  occasionally  a 
little  common  water  on  the  surface,  should  the  lime 
appear  to  be  growing  hard,  and  keeping  the  casks  from 
heat  and  frost. 

The  eggs,  when  taken  out  for  use,  are  to  be  washed 
from  the  adhereing  lime  in  a  little  cold  water,  when 
they  will  have  the  appearance  and  qualities  of  fresh 
laid  eggs,  the  lime  preserving  them  from  shrinking  or 
putridity. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  267 


2b  preserve  hams,  or  other  smofced  meat,  through 
the  summer. 

Wrap  up  the  meat  in  tow,  of  either  flax  or  hemp, 
after  shaking  out  the  loose  shives,  and  pack  it  in  a 
tierce  or  barrel,  taking  care  that  there  be  next  the 
tierce  and  between  every  piece  of  meat,  a  thick  layer 
of  tow  packed  in  as  close  as  possible ;  then  set  it 
away  in  a  dry  cellar  or  upper  room.  It  is  enough 
that  the  barrel  or  tierce  be  sufficient  to  keep  the  mice 
out,  as  no  fly  or  insect  will  enter  the  tow. 

Tow  and  flax  are  such  bad  conductors  of  -heat,  that 
a  piece  of  ice  will  be  preserved  a  long  time  wrapped 
up  in  tow.  Cut  straw  also  answers  extremely  well  to 
keep  hams  in.  Ashes  are  apt  to  communicate  a  bad 
taste  to  meat.  Care  should  be  taken  to*  prevent  the 
flies  from  having  access  to  the  meat  before  being 
packed  away. 

Preservation  of  butter. 

One  part  of  loaf  sugar,  one  part  refined  salt-petre, 
two  parts  of  the  best  pure  salt  are  to  be  pulverised  to- 
gether and  kept  for  use,  one  ounce  of  this  to  be  mixed 
thoroughly  with  16  ounces  of  the  butter  as  soon  as  it  is 
freed  from  the  butter  milk ;  it  is  then  to  be  put  into  a 
close  and  perfectly  clean  dry  vessel,  from  which  the 
air  is  to  be  carefully  excluded,  and  it  will  remain  good 
for  many  years. 

To  cultivate  hemp. —  The  soil. 

The  soils  most  suited  to  the  culture  of  this  plant, 
are  those  of  the  deep,  black,  putrid,  vegetable  kind, 


268  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

that  are  low,  and  rather  inclined  to  moisture,  and 
those  of  the  deep,  mellow,  loamy,  or  sandy  descrip- 
tions. The  quantity  of  produce  is  generally  much 
greater  on  the  former  than  on  the  latter  ;  but  it  is  said 
to  be  greatly  inferior  in  quality.  It  may,  however,  be 
grown  with  success  on  lands  of  a  less  rich  and  fertile 
kind,  by  proper  care  and  attention  in  their  culture  and 
preparation. 

To  prepare  the  ground. 

In  order  to  render  the  grounds  proper  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  crop,  they  should  be  reduced  into  a  fine 
mellow  state  of  mould,  and  be  perfectly  cleared  from 
weeds,  by  repeated  ploughing.  When  it  succeeds 
grain  crops,  the  work  is  mostly  accomplished  by  three 
ploughings,  and  as  many  harrowings;  the  first  being 
given  immediately  after  the  preceding  crop  is  removed, 
the  second  early  in  the  spring,  and  the  last,  or  seed 
earth,  just  before  the  seed  is  to  be  put  in.  In  the  last 
ploughing,  well  rotted  manure,  in  the  proportion  of  15 
or  20,  or  good  compost,  in  the  quantity  of  25  or  33 
horse  cart  loads  ;  as  without  this  it  is  seldom  that  good 
crops  can  be  produced. 

The  surface  of  the  ground  being  left  perfectly  flat, 
and  as  free  from  furrows  as  possible;  as  by  these 
means  the  moisture  is  more  effectually  retained,  and 
the  growth  of  the  plants  more  fully  promoted. 

Quantity  of  seed,  ^c. 

It  is  of  much  importance  in  the  cultivation  of  hemp 
crops,  that  the  seed  be  new,  and  of  good  quality, 
which  may  in  some  measure  be  known  by  its  feeling 
heavy  in  the  hand,  and  being  of  a  bright  shining 
colour. 

The  proportion  of  seed,  that  is  most  commonly  em- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  269 

ployed,  is  from  two  to  three  bushels,  according  to  the 
quality  of  the  land  :  but,  as  the  crops  are  greatly  in- 
jured by  the  plants  standing  too  closely  together,  two 
bushels,  or  two  and  a  half,  may  be  a  more  advantage- 
ous quantity. 

As  the  hemp  plant  is  extremely  tender  in  its  oariy 
growth,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  put  the  seed  into 
the  ground  at  so  early  a  period,  as  Ih^  it  may  be 
liable  to  be  injured  by  the  effects  of  frost ;  nor  to  pro- 
tract the  sowing  to  so  late  a  season,  as  that  the  quality 
of  the  produce  may  be  affected.  The  best  season,  on 
the  drier  sorts  of  land,  in  the  southern  districts,  is,  as 
soon  as  possible  after  the  frosts  are  over  in  April,  and, 
on  the  same  descriptions  of  soil,  in  the  more  northern 
ones,  towards  the  close  of  the  same  month,  or  early 
in  the  ensuing  one. 

Method  of  sowing. 

The  most  general  method  of  putting  crops  of  this 
sort  into  the  soil  is  the  broadcast,  the  seed  being  dis- 
persed over  the  surface  of  the  land  in  as  even  a  man- 
ner as  possible,  and  afterwards  covered  in  by  means 
of  a  very  light  harrowing.  In  many  cases,  however, 
especially  where  the  crops  are  ta  stand  for  seed,  the 
drill  method  in  rows,  at  small  distances,  might  be  had 
recourse  to  with  advantage  :  as,  in  this  way  the  early 
growth  of  the  plants  would  be  more  effectually  pro- 
moted, and  the  land  be  kept  in  a  more  clean  and  per- 
fect state  of  mould,  which  are  circumstances  of  im- 
portance in  such  crops.  In  whatever  method  the  seed 
is  put  in,  care  must  constantly  b#  taken  to  keep  the 
birds  from  it  for  some  time  afterwards. 

This  sort  of  crop  is  frequently  cultivated  on  the 
same  pieces  of  ground  for  a  great  number  of  years, 
23* 


270  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIES 

without  any  other  kind  of  intervening ;  but,  in  such 
oases,  manure  nnust  be  applied  with  almost  every  crop, 
in  pretty  large  proportions,  to  prevent  the  exhaustion 
that  must  otherwise  take  place.  It  may  be  sown  after 
most  sorts  of  grain  crops,  especially  where  the  land 
possesses  sufficient  fertility,  and  is  in  a  proper  state  of 
tillage. 

After  culture. 

As  hemp,  from  its  tall  growth  and  thick  foliage,  soon 
covers  the  surface  of  the  land  and  prevents  the  rising 
of  weeds,  little  attention  is  necessary  after  the  seed  has 
been  put  into  the  ground,  especially  where  the  broad- 
cast method  of  sowing  is  practised  ;  but,  when  put  in 
by  the  drill  machine,  a  hoeing  or  two  may  be  had  re- 
course to  with  advantage  in  the  early  growth  of  the 
crop. 

In  the  culture  of  this  plant,  it  is  particularly  neces- 
sary, that  the  same  piece  of  land  contains  both  male 
and  female,  or  what  is  sometimes  denominated  simple 
hemp.     The  latter  kind  contains  the  seed. 

When  the  crop  is  ripe,  (which  is  known  by  its  be- 
coming of  a  whitish  yellow  colour,  and  a  few  of  the 
leaves  beginning  to  drop  from  the  stems ;  this  happens 
commonly  about  thirteen  or  fourteen  weeks  from  the 
period  of  its  being  sown,  according  as  the  season  may 
be  dry  or  wet,  the  first  sort  being  mostly  ripe  some 
v;eeks  before  the  latter ;)  the  next  operation  is  that  of 
taking  it  from  the  ground,  which  is  effected  by  pulling 
U  up  by  the  roots,  in  small  parcels  at  a  time,  by  the 
,'mnd,  taking  care  to  shake  off  the  mould  well  from 
them  before  the  handsful  are  laid  down.  In  some  dis- 
tricts, the  whole  crop  is  pulled  together,  without  any 
distinction  being  made  between  the  different  kinds  of 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  271 

hemp  ;  while,  in  others,  it  is  the  practice  to  separate 
and  pull  them  at  different  times,  according  to  their 
ripeness.  The  latter  is  obviously  the  better  practice  ; 
as  by  pulling  a  large  proportion  of  the  crop  before  it 
is  in  a  proper  state  of  maturity,  the  quantity  of  produce 
must  not  only  be  considerably  lessened,  but  its  quality 
greatly  injured  by  being  rendered  less  durable. 

After  being  thus  pulled,  it  is  tied  up  in  small  parcels, 
or  what  are  sometimes  provincially  termed  baits. 

Where  crops  of  this  kind  are  intended  for  seeding, 
they  should  be  suffered  to  stand  till  the  seed  becomes 
in  a  perfect  state  of  maturity,  which  is  easily  known 
by  the  appearance  of  it  on  inspection.  The  stems  are 
then  pulled  and  bound  up,  as  in  the  other  case,  the 
bundles  being  set  up  in  the  same  manner  as  grain,  until 
the  seed  becomes  so  dry  and  firm  as  to  shed  freely. 
It  is  then  either  immediately  thrashed  out  upon  large 
cloths  for  the  purpose,  in  the  field,  or  taken  home  to  haVe 
the  operation  afterwards  performed. 

Process  of  grassing  hemp. 

Thb  hemp,  as  soon  as  pulled,  is  tied  up  in  small 
bundles,  frequently  at  both  ends. 

It  is  then  conveyed  to  pits,  or  ponds  of  stagnant 
water,  about  six  or  eight  feet  in  depth,  such  as  have  a 
clayey  soil  being  in  general  preferred,  and  deposited  in 
beds,  according  to  their  size  and  depth ;  the  small 
bundles  being  laid  both  in  a  straight  direction  and 
cross-wise  of  each  other,  so  as  to  bind  perfectly  to- 
gether ;  the  whole  being  loaded  with  timber,  or  other 
materials,  so  as  to  keep  the  beds  of  hemp  just  below 
the  surface  of  the  water. 

It  is  not  usual  to  water  more  than  four  or  five  times 
in   the    same   pit,   till  it  has  been  filled  with  water. 


272  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

Where  the  ponds  are  not  sufficiently  large  to  contain 
the  whole  of  the  produce  at  once,  it  is  the  practice  to 
pull  the  hemp  only  as  it  can  be  admitted  into  them,  it 
being  thought  disadvantageous  to  leave  the  hemp  upon 
the  ground,  after  being  pulled.  It  is  left  in  these  pits 
four,  five,  or  six  days,  or  even  more,  according  to  the 
warmth  of  the  season,  and  the  judgment  of  the  ope- 
rator, on  his  examining  whether  the  hempy  material 
readily  separates  from  the  reed  or  stem ;  and  then 
taken  up  and  conveyed  to  a  pasture  field,  which  is 
clean  and  even,  the  bundles  being  loosened,  and 
spread  out  thinly,  stem  by  stem,  turning  it  every  se- 
cond or  third  day,  especially  in  damp  weather,  to  pre- 
vent its  being  injured  by  worms,  or  other  insects.  It 
should  remain  in  this  situation  for  two,  three,  four, 
or  more  weeks,  according  to  circumstances,  and  be 
then  collected  together  when  in  a  perfectly  dry  state, 
tied  up  into  large  bundles,  and  placed  in  some  secure 
building,  until  an  opportunity  is  afforded  for  breaking 
it,  in  order  to  separate  the  hemp.  By  this  means  the 
process  of  grassing  is  not  only  shortened,  but  the  more 
expensive  ones  of  breaking,  scucthing,  and  bleaching 
the  yarn,  rendered  less  violent  and  troublesome. 

After  the  hemp  has  been  removed  from  the  field,  it 
is  in  a  state  to  be  broken  and  swingled,  operations 
that  arc  mostly  performed  by  common  labourers,  by 
means  of  machinery  for  the  purpose,  the  produce  being 
tied  up  in  stones.  The  refuse,  collected  in  the  latter 
processes,  is  denominated  sheaves,  and  is  in  some  dis- 
tricts employed  for  the  purposes  of  fuel.  After  having 
undergone  these  different  operations,  it  is  ready  for  the 
purposes  of  the  manufacturer. 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  273 


Fruit  trees. 

The  seeds  of  a  nursery  should  be  planted  in  rows 
five  or  six  feet  apart,  that  carrots,  potatoes,  or  bush 
beans  may  be  planted  between  them.  This  will  be  an 
inducement  to  keep  the  nursery  clean.  Cherries, 
peaches,  plumbs,  and  other  stone  fruit,  should  be 
planted  while  the  stones  are  moist,  or  with  the  meat 
on  them.  In  this  way  they  come  up  with  more  cer- 
tainty. It  is  a  good  practice  to  plant  the  seeds  in 
beds,  and  to  remove  the  young  trees  to  the  nursery. 
This  will  give  an  opportunity  of  early  removing  the 
tap  root,  and  of  increasing  and  directing  the  lateral 
roots.  The  dwarfs  in  a  nursery  are  not  worth  culti- 
vating, and  ought  to  be  removed  ;  there  are  commonly 
enough  thrifty  trees  without  them. 

In  taking  up  trees,  care  should  be  used  not  to  injure 
the  roots.  The  tap  roots  should  be  cut  off,  the  broken 
roots  pruned  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  the  lateral  roots 
should  be  carefully  preserved,  and  should  have  suffi- 
cient room  in  the  ground  to  spread.  The  trees  when 
set  out  should  have  the  same  aspect,  as  when  standing 
in  the  nursery.  It  is  useful  to  place  a  small  quantity 
of  hay  or  straw  around  them,  to  prevent  the  sun  from 
taking  up  too  much  of  the  moisture,  and  to  keep  the 
ground  from  becoming  dry  and  hard.  This  should 
be  removed  before  snow  falls,  lest  it  harbour  mice. 

On  dry  land,  not  exposed  to  be  moved  by  frost, 
transplanting  is  safest  and  best  in  autumn  ;  otherwise 
in  the  spring.  Trees  are  more  thrifty,  will  bear 
sooner,  and  more  plentifully,  near  fences,  and  will  less 
incommode  the  cultivation  of  the  field. 

In  forming  the  head  of  the  tree,  all  the  limbs,  which 
will  be  likely  to  rub   across  other  limbs,  should  be 


274  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

early  removed.  By  neglecting  to  do  this  in  season, 
the  tree  may  be  injured  by  causing  large  wounds.  By 
pruning  when  the  circulation  is  most  active,  the  wounds 
will  soonest  be  healed. 

It  is  safest,  when  the  wounds  are  large,  to  cover 
them  with  some  kind  of  plaster  to  keep  out  the  water 
and  air,  and  prevent  rotting.  Mature  trees,  it  is  said, 
will  produce  more  and  fairer  fruit  by  being  pruned 
when  in  blossom. 

When  mice  have  injured  the  bark,  it  is  useful  to 
cover  the  wound  with  dirt,  or  some  kind  of  plaster. 
When  entirely  girdled,  the  tree  may  be  preserved  by 
connecting  the  under  and  upper  lips  of  the  bark  with 
a  suitable  number  of  scions.  It  is  a  good  preservation 
against  injuries  by  mice,  to  tread  down  the  snow,  when 
it  first  falls,  for  a  foot  or  two  about  the  tree." 

How  to  produce  the  best  of  Fruit, 

Take  a  scion  from  a  tree,  the  growth  of  the  pre- 
ceding year,  of  the  choicest  fruit  to  be  found — cut  this 
scion  into  pieces  of  two,  three  or  four  inches  in  length, 
dip  the  ends  cut  into  warm  rosin  so  as  to  prevent  the 
sap  issuing  out — plant  the  pieces  in  soil  suitable  for  an 
orchard.  A  number  of  shoots  will  spring  up ;  from 
these  select  the  most  thrifty  for  growth,  lop  down  the 
remaining  shoots  and  cover  them  faithfully  with  earth, 
and  in  a  short  time  they  will  become  roots  to  nourish 
and  hasten  the  growth  of  the  tree.  An  orchard  may 
be  produced  in  this  manner  at  least  two  years  sooner 
than  from  the  seed. 

Recipe  for  making  good  yellow  Butter. 
A  gentleman  from  Scotland  has  lately  called  at  this 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  275 

office,  and  requested  us  to  promulgate  the  following 
recipe  for  the  benefit  of  those  farmers  who  supply  our 
market  with  butter. — He  was  led  to  make  the  su^ores- 
tion  in  consequence  of  having  noticed  that  our  butter 
made  after  the  cattle  are  put  to  hay,  is  almost  univer- 
sally white.  He  says  that  in  his  country  the  dairy 
women  avoid  this  by  grating  some  orange  carrots,  the 
juice  of  which,  after  being  strained,  is  mixed  with  the 
cream  previous  to  churning.  Butter  thus  manufac- 
tured acquires  not  only  a  beautiful  yellow  colour,  but 
a  flavour  which  adds  greatly  to  its  value.  The  quan- 
tity of  carrot  juice  necessary  to  be  used  for  this  pur- 
pose may  easily  be  ascertained  :  indeed  the  judgment 
of  the  manufacturer  cannot  fail  to  suggest  very 
nearly  the  quantity  necessary  to  give  a  proper  colour. 

Art  of  dressing  Flax  so  as  to  resemble  Silk,  as  praC' 
ticed  in  Germany. 

Take  one  part  of  lime,  and  between  two  and  three 
parts  of  wood-ashes  ;  pour  over  them  a  due  proportion 
of  water  to  make  a  strong  and  sharp  lie  after  they 
have  stood  together  all  night,  which  must  be  poured 
off'  when  quite  clear.  Tie  handfulls  of  flax  at  both 
ends,  to  prevent  its  entangling,  but  let  the  middle  of 
each  be  spread  as  open  as  possible,  in  a  kettle,  on  the 
bottom  of  which  has  first  been  placed  a  little  straw 
with  a  cloth  over  it. 

Then  put  another  cloth  over  the  flax,  and  so  con- 
tinue covering  each  layer  of  flax  with  a  cloth  till  the 
kettle  be  nearly  full.  Pour  over  the  whole  the*  clear 
lie,  and  after  boiling  it  for  some  hours  take  it  out,  and 
throw  it  in  cold  water.  This  boiling,  &c.  may  be  re- 
peated, if  judged  requisite. 

The  flax  must  be  each  time  dried,  hackled,  beaten, 


^76  EVERY   MAN   HIS    OWN   FARRIER 

and  rubbed  fine ;  and,  at  length,  first  dressed  through 
a  large  comb,  and  then  through  a  very  fine  one.  By 
this  process  the  flax  acquires  a  beautifully  bright  and 
soft  thread.  The  tow,  which  is  beaten  off,  when  pa- 
pered up  and  combed  like  cotton,  is  not  only  used  for 
many  of  the  same  purposes,  but  makes  an  excellent 
lint  for  wounds. 

Mode  of  ivhiteiiing  Straw. 

In  1806,  a  new  method  of  whitening  straw  was  dis- 
covered in  Germany.  This  consists  in  steeping  it  in 
muriatic  acid  saturated  with  potash. 

The  straw,  thus  prepared,  never  turns  yellow,  is  of 
a  shining  white,  and  acquires  great  flexibility. 

Preserved  Strawberries. 

To  one  pound  of  ripe  strawberries  put  one  pound 
of  powdered  loaf-sugar,  laying  alternately  on  a  deep 
dish-layer  of  each.  Let  them  remain  thus  for  twenty 
four  hours,  then  boil  them  in  a  syrup  till  they  are  all 
of  a  colour.  In  order  to  determine  when  they  are 
done  enough,  cut  one  of  them  open. 

Then,  taking  them  out,  boil  the  syrup  to  the  con- 
sistence of  a  jelly,  let  it  remain  till  cool,  then  put  in 
your  strawberries,  and  let  them  boil  up  once ;  take 
them  off*,  and  when  cool,  put  them  into  a  pot  for  use. 

Hop- Beer. 

For  a  half  barrel  of  beer  take  half  a  pound  of 
hops  and  half  a  gallon  of  molasses ;  the  latter  must 
be  poured  by  itself  into  the  cask.  Boil  the  hops,  add- 
ing to  them  a  teacupfull  of  powdered  ginger,  in  about 
a  pailful  and  a  half  of  water,  that  is,  a  quantity  suffi- 


AND    CATTLE    DOCTOR.  277 

cient  to  extract  the  virtue  of  the  hops.  When  suffi- 
ciently brewed,  put  it  up  warm  into  the  cask,  shaking 
it  well  in  order  to  mix  it  with  the  molasses.  Then  fill 
it  up  with  water  quite  to  the  bung,  which  must  be  left 
open  to  allow  it  to  work.  You  must  be  careful  to  keep 
it  constantly  filled  up  with  water  whenever  it  works 
over.  When  sufficiently  wrought  to  be  bottled,  put 
about  a  spoonful  of  molasses  into  each  bottle. 


RULES  TO  BE  OBSERVED  REGARDING  THE 
IMPROVEMENT  OF  WASTE  LANDS. 

In  the  cultivation  of  wastes,  the  following  rules  are 
laid  down  by  the  most  successful  improvers. 

1.  Not  to  put  in  practice  any  scheme  of  improve- 
ment, without  the  fullest  deliberation,  nor  without  the 
command  of  an  adequate  capital. 

2.  Not  to  begin  on  too  great  a  scale,  nor  until,  by 
experiment  it  be  found,  that  the  design  is  suitable  to 
the  soil,  situation  and  climate. 

3.  When  the  intention  is  to  cultivate  peat-moss,  not 
to  begin  cropping,  till  at  least  one  season  after  the 
drains  are  completed,  and  the  soil  thoroughly  reclaimed 
from  superfluous  moisture.  In  flow  or  spongy  mosses 
a  longer  time  is  necessary,  and  it  is  desirable  to  ex- 
pose the  soil  to  the  action  of  the  atmosphere,  during 
the  frosts  of  winter. 

4.  To  plough  or  delve  peat-moss  in  autumn,  that  it 
may  be  effectually  exposed  to  the  winter  frost  and 
rains,  and  not  to  the  summer's  heat,  which  hardens  it, 
and  prevents  its  decomposition. 

5.  Whatever  is  done,  to  do  it  eff'ectually ;   not  to 

24 


278  EVERY    MAN    HIS    OWN    FARRIER 

think  of  laying  on  four  acres,  the  manure  necessary 
for  three,  nor  the  lime,  chalk,  earth,  clay,  sand  or 
gravel,  upon  two  acres,  that  should  be  employed  in 
covering  only  one. 

6.  To  carry  on  the  improvement  of  waste  lands, 
without  encroaching  upon  the  dung  necessary  for  the  im- 
proved part  of  a  farm,  as  dung  ought  never  to  be  brought 
from  a  good  soil  to  lay  on  a  bad  one.  Unless  dung 
therefore  can  be  procured  from  a  neighbouring  town 
or  village,  it  will  be  better  to  leave  the  lands  in  their 
natural  state,  except  in  cases  where  the  soil,  by  being 
pared,  burnt,  limed,  or  marled,  or  covered  with  chalk, 
clay,  earth,  &c.  will  pay  the  expense  of  the  improve- 
ment. 

7.  The  last  rule  is,  to  lay  down  land,  improved 
from  waste,  more  especially  in  high  and  bleak  situa- 
tions, as  soon  as  possible  into  grass,  and  to  retain  it 
in  that  state  as  long  as  it  is  tolerably  productive.  For 
though  grain  and  roots  may  be  cultivated  on  waste 
lands,  when  properly  improved,  yet  grass  pastured, 
particularly  by  sheep,  is  principally  to  be  depended  on 
for  improving  all  weak  soils,  in  barren  districts.  In 
such  cases,  it  is  from  grass  alone  that  remuneration 
can  be  looked  for  by  the  improver  of  waste  lands. 
Even  though  soils  of  this  description  do  not  produce 
grass  in  much  abundance,  or  of  good  quality,  yet  when 
in  pasture  they  produce  something,  and  a  stop  is  put 
to  farther  expenditure. 


INDEX 

OF  TBS 

AMERICAN   POCKET  FARRIER 

AND  FARMERS  RECEIPT  BOOK, 

CONTAINING 

TEN  MINUTES  ADVICE  HOW  TO  BUY  A  HORSE; 

WITH 
DIRECTIONS    HOW    TO    USE    HIM    ON    A   JOURNEY. 


Pa?e 

Page 

Age, 

14,40 

Cold,  running  at  the  eyes 

Anticor, 

21,  79 

and  nose,       -        -        60 

Apoplexy  #*  staggers,        68 

Cold  water,  caution  against, 
70 

Back  sinews, 

59 

Corns,      -        -        -        89 

Barbs, 

20,84 

Correction  ill-timed  and 

Back  and  body. 

30 

well-timed,            -        46 

Back,  a  sore. 

53 

Countenance,             -         10 

Bow-legged, 

28 

Cough,              -        -        61 

Breast, 

21 

Cracked  heels,          -        50 

Buy,  try  before  you 

39 

Cutting,         ,   -        -        47 

Bleeding,  caution,  cause. 

Cuts,  treads  and  bruises 

63,67 

cured,            -        -        49 

Botts  or  worms, 

67 

Curb,        -        -        -        33 

Broken  wind. 

41,73 

Easy  rein,         -        -        46 

Canter, 

36 

Eyes,        -        -             8,40 

Circled  feet,     - 

27 

Eyes,  cold  in,  and  treat- 

Clap in  the  back  sinews,  59 

ment,            -           60, 63 

279 

280 


INDEX. 


Paze 

Eyes,  a  poultice  for  tlie,  64 
Eye  water,       -        -        64 

Fainting,  a  cordial  for,  66 

Farcy  and  glanders,  74 

Feed,  remember  to,  65 

Feeding,  directions  for,  66 

Fever,  the  cure,        -  91 

Film,  the  cure,  -  64 

Fistula,  -        -  85 

Flies,  how  to  keep  off,  98 

Forging,  -        -  34 

Foundering,  to  prevent,  61 

Gagg-teeth,  -  -  20 
Gallop,  -  -  -  36 
Giggs  on  the  lips,  20,  84 
Glanders,  -  12,74 

Going,  directions  for,  46 
Gravelled,  -  -  48 
Grazing,  -        -        69 

Greasing  heels,  -  51 
Gripes,  -        -        66 

Grooms,  how  to  detect  bad,  73 

Hoofs,  -  -  26,49 
Heel,  -  49, 50,  51 

Head,  -  "     28 

Heat  balls,  -  50 

Horse  ointment,    -  49 

Hard  riding,  -  57 

Hide  bound,  -  58 

Hay  and  oats,  take  care 
of  your,  -  73 

Jaundice,  -  88 

Journey,  setting  out  on  a,  46 
Jaws,  knotted  between 

the,  -        -  62 


Pair* 
Lampas,  cure  for  it,  20,  72 
Legs,  -  22,  41 

Lameness,         -  47, 49 


Mane, 

Mallender, 

Mange, 

Morefoundering 

Mouth, 


28 
53 
55 
12 
14 


Mounting,  directions  for,   46 


Neck, 
Nostrils, 

Oats, 

Osslets, 


28,97 
13,60 

73 
24 


Pastern  and  pastern-joint,  26 
Pricked,  -        -        48 

Purge,      -        -  70,71 

Purgings,  to  stop  violent,  71 
Pollevi],     •      -  29,77 

Rat's  tail,          -   *  33,78 

Rowels,            -  -        73 

Ringbone,         -  -        84 

Running  thrush,  -        89 

Salender,  -        -        53 

Stable,  a  horse  in  the,  7 

Saddle  liorse,  -        43 

Starting  and  shying,  43 

Strangles,  -  11,  80 

Splints,  cure  for,  23,  44 

Spavins,  -  32,  45 

Shoulders,         -        -       29 
Shoulder    slip,   how  to 

know  a,         -  58, 60 

Stifle,       -        -        -        59 


INDEX. 


281 


Tage 

Page 

Staling,  difficulty  of, 

54 

Trot  in  hand,             -        34 

Surfeit  and  mange, 

55 

Trot  mounted,           -        35 

Staggers,  or  apoplexy. 

68 

Stringhalt, 

88 

Vives,               -          13, 82 

Stumbler,   how  to  dis- 

Windgalls,       -        -        24 

cover  a,         -        - 

39 

Walk  in  hand,           -        34 

Swelled    and     cracked 

Walk  mounted,          -        35 

heels. 

50 

Watering,  advice  for,        54 

Sore  back. 

53 

Wind,  broken  wind,     41,  73 
Worms  or  botts,         -        67 

Thighs, 

22 

Yellows  or  Jaundice,         88 

Tottering  legs, 

36 

The  management  of  Cows,  before,  during,  and  after 

calving,         -----  99 

How  to  extract  a  calf  when  it  presents  in  a  wrong 

position,        -----  108 

How  to  treat  the  navel-string  after  extraction,  110 

The  falling  down  of  the  calf-bed,  -  -  111 

Abortion,  or  slipping  of  the  calf,  -  -  113 

The  management  of  young  calves,  and  the  treatment 
of  cows  after  their  delivery,  -  -  116 


DISEASES    TO   WHICH    CALVES    ARE    SUBJECT, 


Cords,  symptoms,  cure,  122 
Canker  in  the  mouth,  131 
Costiveness,  or  obstruc- 
tion of  bowels,  127 


Of  the  internal  structure  of  the  cow 


121 


Diarrhcea,  or  dysentery,  124 
Hoose,  or  cough,  -  129 
Inflammatory  disorders,    132 


135 


THE  DISORDERS  TO  WHICH  NEAT  CATTLE  ARE  SUBJECT, 
WITH  THE  CAUSES,  SYMPTOMS,  AND  METHODS  OP 
CURE,  -  -  -  .  - 

Black  Quarter,        -        150 
Bowels,  inflammation  of 

the,  -        -         162 

Brain,     -        -        -         165 
Blown,  -        -         166 


BJoody  urine, 

Bruises, 

Bones,  swelling  in  the, 


24* 


Catarrh,  or  cold. 


142 

182 
198 
199 

154 


282 


tlTDfiX. 


Page 

Colic,  -        -        172 

Cud,  loss  of,  -        175 

Cows  near  calving,  190 


Distemper, 
DiarrhoBa, 


154,  206 

178 


Epidemical  cold,  154 
Excrescences,  horny,       199 

Fever,  inflammatory,       150 

Fog  sickness,  -        166 

Flatulent  colic,  -        172 

Foul  in  the  foot,  183 

Gripes,           -  -        172 

Grain  sick,  -        197 

Homey  excrescences,      199 

Horn  distemper,  -        206 

Hoven,            -  -        166 

Hoof  ail,         .  -        183 

Inflammation     of  the 

lungs,          -  -        158 

Inflammation     of  the 

stomach,      -  -        160 

Inflammation     of  the 

liver,           -  -         163 

Inflammation     of  the 

kidneys,      -  -        164 

Inflammation     of  the 

udder,          -  -        192 


Page 

Liver,  inflammation  of 

the. 

163 

Lungs,  inflammation  of 

the. 

-        158 

Loss  of  the  cud. 

175 

Looseness, 

178 

Loss  of  joint  oil, 

204 

Murrain  or  pest, 

151 

Mange, 

-        205 

Observations, 

.       142 

Pest, 

-        151 

Peripneumony  or 

P^®"*  ,.« 

risy, 

158 

Quarter  evil,  -  150 

Red  water,      -        -  182 

Slimy  flux,  or  scouring 

rot,  -        -  179 

Strains  and  bruises,  198 

Soft  swellings,        -  202 

Spud,     -        -        -  150 
Stomach,    inflammation 

of  the,  -        -  100 

Swellings  of  joints  and 

bones,  -        -  199 

Swelling  of  the  udder,  192 

Synovia,         -        -  204 


Indigestion,    - 

175 

Tail  sickness, 

307 

Jaundice, 

17.6 

Ulcers, 

.207 

Joints,  swelling  of  the. 

199 

Udder,  swelling  of  the, 

192 

Joint  oil,  loss  of. 

204 

Warts, 

199 

Kidneys,     inflammation 

Wounds  of  cattle. 

194 

of  the. 

164 

Yellows, 

176 

INDEX. 


283 


THE  DISEASES   OF  SHEEP   AND   CURES   FOR  THEM 


Foot-rot,  -  -  209 
Prevention  and  cure,  210 
To  prevent  from  catching 

cold  after  shearing,       211 
To  cure  the  scab,  211 

To  destroy  maggots,  212 
Water  in  the  head,  214 

To  pre  vent  the  "sturdy,"  219 


Practice  of  the  Spanish 

shepherds, 
Pelt-rot, 
Tick,    staggers,    colds, 

purging,  and  hove, 
Pining,  small-pox. 


209 


220 
220 

221 
222 
223 


THE   DISEASES   OP  SWINE   AND   CURES   FOR  THEM, 


Drenches,  -  -  226 
Fever,  -        -        226 

Fattening  of  swine,  226 

Food  proper  for  fattening,  227 
Best  weather  to  fatten  in,  227 
Issues,  -        -        226 

To  fat  sucking  pigs,         230 
How  to  cure  pork  and 
bacon,         -        -        231 


224 


Economy, 

. 

229 

Liquids, 

• 

228 

Measles, 

. 

224 

Rupture, 

•        " 

225 

Swine-pox, 

226 

Catarrhs, 

•        • 

226 

To  fat  weaned  pigs. 

230 

How  to  pack 

bacon  anc 

hams. 

- 

233 

AGRICULTURAL  AND  MISCELLANEOUS  RECEIPTS, 

Of  Gardens,       .  -  .  - 

Black  worms, 
Red  worms. 
Palmer  worms. 
Timber  worms, 
Cankerworm, 
Curculio, 
Catterpillars, 
Grasshoppers, 
Grubs, 


234 
234 


240 

Garden  flea. 

243 

241 

Hessian-fly, 

242 

241 

Insects,  to  destroy. 

235 

241 

Lice,      -        .        - 

243 

236 

Maggots, 

242 

238 

Top  or  spindle  worm. 

240 

240 

Turnip-fly, 

242 

244 

Weavel, 

243 

240 

Yellow-striped  bug. 

242 

284 


INDEX. 


HOW   TO   MANAGE   A   DAIRY, 


245 


Directions  to  the  cow- 
feeder,         -         -         245 

Directions  to  the  dairy- 
maid, -        -        246 

How  to  choose  a  milch 
cow,  -        -        246 

Grafting", 


To  cure  dropsy  in  young" 
turkeys,  -         250 

The  economy  of  a  cow,  247 

How  to  manage  young- 
chickens,  -        248 

To  fatten  poultry,  249 

251 


MANAGEMENT'    OF   BEES, 


254 


To  hive  bees, 

255 

To  unite  swarms, 

256 

To  reinforce  stocks. 

256 

To  feed  bees. 

257 

To  manage  honey. 

258 

To  manage  bees  gene- 

To take  honey  without 

rally. 

259 

destroying  the  bees, 

258 

PRESERVING 

MEATS,  ETC. 

262 

A  receipt  for  pickle. 

262 

To  cure  beef, 

263 

To  prevent  skippers  in 

To    make  a  pickle  or 

bacon. 

265 

brine  for  beef. 

265 

To   preserve    hams,  or 

A  method  of  preserving 

other     smoked    meat 

cream, 

264 

through  the  summer. 

267 

Receipt  for  making  good 

Preservation  of  butter, 

267 

yellow  butter, 

274 

Manner   of   preserving 

To  cultivate  hemp — the 

eggs    perfectly  fresh 

soil. 

267 

for  twelve  months. 

266 

To  prepare  the  ground. 

268 

To  prevent  bottled  cider 

Quantity  of  seed,  etc.. 

268 

from  bursting, 

264 

Method  of  sowing. 

269 

Extirpating    rats    and 

After  culture. 

270 

mice. 

265 

Process     of     grassing 

Fruit  trees. 

273 

hemp. 

271 

How  to  produce  the  best 

Dressing  flax  to  resem- 

fruit, 

274 

ble  silk,       -        - 

275 

Preserved  strawberries. 

276 

Mode     of     whitening 

Hop-beer, 

276 

straw,          -^       - 

276 

Rules  to  be  observed  regarding  the  improvement  of 
waste  lands,  -  .  -  -  277 


1 


Webster  Family  Library  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
Cummings  Sr.hOGi  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at 
Tufts  Univeroily 
200  Westboro  Road 
North  Grafton.  MA  01536 


'^-^^ 


^^:§l 


,     t 


